Spotify Accused of Promoting Extremist Content

September 27, 2022 By Aaem Joshi

(Image Credit Google)

According to a recent analysis by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Spotify likes to make a great deal about how it forbids extremist content on its platform, but that doesn't mean it actually does anything about it. Additionally, the watchdog group accused the music streaming service of approving scores of white nationalist musicians, marketing their music to uninformed fans, and verifying them.

ADL accused Spotify of verifying and promoting extremist content

The ADL's Center on Extremism identified 40 white supremacist musicians in the research who work in various musical genres and subgenres intending to promote white supremacist ideology, antisemitism, racism, and fascism. According to the ADL, several artists it found were verified and had ties to other extremist spaces on their profiles. Plus, being verified allows them to be featured in Spotify's official playlists. Spotify

Furthermore, the watchdog group mentioned the Italian band Wiking 1940, which plays National Socialist Black Metal, a subgenre of heavy metal. The band's song "Sonnenrad" had antisemitic lyrics and opened with passages from an Adolf Hitler speech. After the ADL released its findings, Spotify dropped Wiking 1940 and another band, Pugilato NSHC. Moreover, Spotify users can make and share playlists "influenced" by musicians who support white supremacy. The ADL discovered about 100 user-made playlists when searching for the terms Fashwave, Rock Against Communism, and National Socialist Black Metal playlists, which are the three most well-known categories of white supremacist music on Spotify. The cover art for many of the playlists featured neo-Nazi and extremist themes. Spotify

So, according to ADL's research, Spotify "encourages the growth of extremist content." The ADL stated that this is taking place despite the new anti-extremist policies that the platform just introduced to its rules. "Spotify still has a lot more work to do in applying its new policy," the ADL said, "between the extremist content found in some artists' profiles, the white supremacist messaging in certain band's lyrics, and the white supremacist imagery featured in the cover art."

Spotify's response

A Spotify representative responded that the company takes content issues very seriously. In addition, the spokesperson revealed that a large portion of the content cited by the ADL violated its standards and that the company removed it. The spokesperson emphasized that a team of internal specialists constantly looks at anything that violates its policies and takes appropriate action. Additionally, algorithms are in place to ensure that content complies with Spotify's policies. According to Spotify, this year, it took down 12,000 podcast episodes, 19,000 playlists, 160 songs, and almost 20 albums for breaking its global hate content policy. Spotify

The representative also stated, "We recognize that even with our continued innovation and investments when it comes to moderation, there is always more work to be done. We also remain open to engaging in a dialogue with organizations, including the ADL, so that we might benefit from their knowledge and continue improving our platform's safety."

By Aaem Joshi

I am a Journalist who loves digging up stories that remain unheard. Strongly Believe in the knowledge of the social world.

Spotify Accused of Promoting Extremist Content

ADL accused Spotify of verifying and promoting extremist content

Spotify's response

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