Last week, Neil Young spearheaded a massive backlash against Spotify over vaccine misinformation spread through Joe Rogan's podcast. With more artists announcing plans to withdraw from the platform and the stock price plummeting, Spotify has announced plans to add content advisories to podcasts about COVID-19.
In an announcement posted through Spotify's online newsroom, CEO Daniel Ek wrote, "Based on the feedback over the last several weeks, it's become clear to me that we have an obligation to do more to provide balance and access to widely-accepted information from the medical and scientific communities guiding us through this unprecedented time. These issues are incredibly complex."
Ek promised that the platform's COVID-19 content warning will direct listeners to the platform's own COVID-19 information hub, which will offer "easy access to data-driven facts, up-to-date information as shared by scientists, physicians, academics and public health authorities around the world, as well as links to trusted sources."
Ek also said that Spotify would be publishing its platform rules about content — guidelines that the company previously wasn't transparent about — as well as working to raise awareness among podcasters about their accountability over the content they create.
The CEO wrote, "Pick almost any issue and you will find people and opinions on either side of it. Personally, there are plenty of individuals and views on Spotify that I disagree with strongly. We know we have a critical role to play in supporting creator expression while balancing it with the safety of our users. 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."
Last week, Young announced his plans to leave the streaming giant due to vaccine misinformation spread on Joe Rogan's podcast, which is owned by Spotify. He wrote in a letter to his team, "They can have Rogan or Young. Not both." Spotify then obliged by removing Young's music from the service.
Joni Mitchell joined Young's protest, while numerous artists and fans expressed their support on social media. Spotify's stock dropped 12 percent the week ending January 28, according to Nasdaq data.
In an announcement posted through Spotify's online newsroom, CEO Daniel Ek wrote, "Based on the feedback over the last several weeks, it's become clear to me that we have an obligation to do more to provide balance and access to widely-accepted information from the medical and scientific communities guiding us through this unprecedented time. These issues are incredibly complex."
Ek promised that the platform's COVID-19 content warning will direct listeners to the platform's own COVID-19 information hub, which will offer "easy access to data-driven facts, up-to-date information as shared by scientists, physicians, academics and public health authorities around the world, as well as links to trusted sources."
Ek also said that Spotify would be publishing its platform rules about content — guidelines that the company previously wasn't transparent about — as well as working to raise awareness among podcasters about their accountability over the content they create.
The CEO wrote, "Pick almost any issue and you will find people and opinions on either side of it. Personally, there are plenty of individuals and views on Spotify that I disagree with strongly. We know we have a critical role to play in supporting creator expression while balancing it with the safety of our users. 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."
Last week, Young announced his plans to leave the streaming giant due to vaccine misinformation spread on Joe Rogan's podcast, which is owned by Spotify. He wrote in a letter to his team, "They can have Rogan or Young. Not both." Spotify then obliged by removing Young's music from the service.
Joni Mitchell joined Young's protest, while numerous artists and fans expressed their support on social media. Spotify's stock dropped 12 percent the week ending January 28, according to Nasdaq data.
