To Bandcamp and its leadership team,

We, the undersigned, are artists, creators, and supporters of independent music who are deeply invested in the equitable and secure financial support of artists through your platform. While we greatly appreciate Bandcamp’s mission to empower independent musicians, we urge you to provide payout methods beyond PayPal for artists who no longer wish to engage with the company.

Why We Need Alternatives:

• Unethical Practices by PayPal: Recent reports have revealed that PayPal’s Honey browser extension has been diverting referral fees from online creators’ referral links. This is a troubling practice that undermines the work and revenue of independent creators, many of whom also rely on Bandcamp for their livelihood.

• Security Issues: PayPal has demonstrated significant security vulnerabilities. For example, one Bandcamp artist’s account was hacked, and their Bandcamp earnings were stolen. When the artist contacted PayPal for support, their dispute was denied, and they were unable to reach a human representative to resolve the fraud. Such failures leave artists feeling unsupported and at risk.

• Lack of Trust: Many artists are increasingly uncomfortable with PayPal’s policies, fees, and lack of transparency. For a platform like Bandcamp that prides itself on fairness and supporting creators, reliance on PayPal as the sole payout option feels misaligned with those values.

What We’re Asking For:

We request that Bandcamp offer an alternative payout method, such as direct bank transfers, checks, or another trusted third-party service. Providing these options would ensure that artists who have ethical or security concerns with PayPal can continue to use Bandcamp without compromising their values or financial security.

As a platform built for artists by artists, Bandcamp has always been a leader in supporting the independent music community. Offering alternative payout options would be a significant step toward continuing that legacy and ensuring artists feel safe, valued, and respected.

We hope you’ll listen to the voices of the community you’ve built and take this necessary step.