Spotify has announced that in the coming days it will start adding content advisories to any podcast discussing Covid-19.
The music and podcast streaming platform has taken the measure as it continues to attract criticism for being a channel from which misinformation about the coronavirus and vaccination can be spread.
Canadian singer-songwriters Neil Young and Joni Mitchell removed their entire back catalogues of music from Spotify last week and cited perceived anti-vaccination comments made on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast as a reason for their actions.
In response, Spotify has insisted it has no desire to become a "content censor" but has also recognised that it is important rules are in place and that there are consequences for those who violate them.
With that in mind, the content advisory will direct listeners to Spotify's dedicated Covid-19 Information Hub, which will provide data-driven facts, links to trusted sources and up-to-date information as shared by scientists, physicians, academics and public health authorities around the world.
"To our knowledge, this content advisory is the first of its kind by a major podcast platform," declared Spotify CEO Daniel Ek. "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.
"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."
Mr Ek added that Spotify would be publishing its long-standing Platform Rules in a permanent place on its main website.
He has also committed to highlighting the rules in Spotify's creator and publisher tools "to raise awareness around what’s acceptable and help creators understand their accountability for the content they post on our platform".
Mr Ek went on to defend Spotify's actions as a company since the start of the pandemic, saying: "I want you to know that from the very first days, Spotify has been biased toward action. We launched a variety of educational resources and campaigns to raise awareness and we developed and promoted a global Covid-19 Information Hub.
"We donated ad inventory to various organisations for vaccine awareness, funds to the World Health Organisation and Covid-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) to increase vaccine equity and supported the Go Give One fundraising campaign. And we established a music relief project to support the creative community.
"While this is not a complete list, I hope it gives you a sense of how seriously we’ve approached the pandemic as a company."
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