After coming under fire from rock and folk icons for giving voice to disinformation about COVID-19 immunizations, Spotify Technology SA (SPOT.N) said it will add a “content advisory” to every podcast episode that involves debate about the vaccine.
In a blog post published Sunday, Ek said, “This new initiative to counteract disinformation will roll out to countries throughout the world in the coming days.” “As far as we know, this content advisory by a major podcast platform is the first of its type.”
Listeners will be directed to a COVID-19 portal, which will feature facts and information from medical and health professionals, as well as links to reliable sources.
Singer-songwriters Neil Young and Joni Mitchell have said that they will remove their music from Spotify in protest of the popular streaming services allowing the spread of false information about COVID-19 vaccines.
Young objected to his music being played on the same platform as Joe Rogan’s top-rated podcast “The Joe Rogan Experience.” A prominent vaccine skeptic, Rogan has stirred controversy with his views on the pandemic, government mandates, and vaccines to control the spread of the coronavirus.
Earlier this month, 270 scientists and medical professionals signed a letter urging Spotify to take action against Rogan, accusing him of spreading falsehoods on the podcast.
In a tweet on Saturday best-selling author Brene Brown — host of the Spotify-exclusive podcasts “Unlocking Us” and “Dare to Lead” — said she would “not be releasing any podcasts until further notice.”
Brown could not immediately be reached for comment.
Spotify is also publishing platform rules for its creators, according to Ek’s post.
“We know we have a critical role to play in supporting creator expression while balancing it with the safety of our users,” he wrote. “In that role, it is important to me that we don’t take on the position of being content censor while also making sure that there are rules in place and consequences for those who violate them.”
