Spotify will start including a “content material advisory” for podcast episodes that embrace COVID-19 discussions after Neil Younger and two different musicians pulled their work from the streaming service over issues about coronavirus misinformation.
The brand new function was introduced in a company blog post printed Sunday by CEO Daniel Elk and comes after Younger, Joni Mitchell and Nils Lofgren parted methods with Spotify in protest of podcaster Joe Rogan, who they’ve accused of spreading pretend details about COVID vaccines.
The content material advisories might be rolled out within the coming days and can direct customers to a COVID-19 data hub.
The hub will embrace “quick access to data-driven information, up-to-date data as shared by scientists, physicians, teachers and public well being authorities world wide, in addition to hyperlinks to trusted sources,” Elk wrote.
Elk additionally introduced that Spotify has taken the step to publish its “long-standing” platform guidelines in an effort to spice up transparency.
“Personally, there are many people and views on Spotify that I disagree with strongly,” Elk wrote within the weblog put up, with out singling out anybody particularly.
“We all know we’ve a crucial position to play in supporting creator expression whereas balancing it with the protection of our customers.
“In that position, you will need to me that we don’t tackle the place of being content material censor whereas additionally ensuring that there are guidelines in place and penalties for many who violate them,” Elk stated.
Based on the principles, the streaming service prohibits creators from sharing “content material that promotes harmful false or harmful misleading medical data which will trigger offline hurt or poses a direct menace to public well being.”