Last month, amid a wave of artist boycotts, Spotify added content warnings to its COVID-19 content to quell anger at vaccine misinformation hosted on the platform. The tweak did little to satisfy critics, and the New York state comptroller is among them, according to a letter obtained by Reuters.
In the letter, comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, who oversees pension funds in the state, urged Spotify to let users more easily report misinformation, and requested details on how the platform handles content rules and enforcement, according to Reuters. DiNapoli cited complaints that Joe Rogan had spread misinformation, as well as reports of racist material.
“As we have seen with other technology and media companies who host or publish content, the failure to successfully moderate content on a company’s platforms can lead to various reputational, regulatory, legal, and financial risks,” DiNapoli wrote in the letter, sent February 2, according to Reuters. Pitchfork has emailed Spotify and the comptroller’s office for comment.
Since the controversy broke, Spotify has announced platform rules against hateful content, and Neil Young has advised every Spotify worker to quit their job before it eats their soul.
Head to the Pitch to read “The Missed Opportunity of the Spotify Boycott,” “In Praise of Neil Young’s Eternal Battle With the Music Industry,” and “Will Neil Young and Joni Mitchell’s Departure Spark a Bigger Spotify Exodus?”
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