Spotify, a popular music streaming service, came under fire on Monday after it was discovered that the site’s podcasting service hosts content from Alex Jones.
Jones, a known
racist, sexist and Trump-loving conspiracy theorist, had been banned or censored by other platforms, including YouTube and Facebook. Infowars, launched in 2012 by Jones, is a right-wing fake news outlet, which has attracted a huge following because of their ludicrous reporting of conspiracy theories, such as claiming the 9/11 attacks were a false-flag operation and calling the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, which killed 20 first-graders and six educators in Newtown, Conn., a hoax.
In an attempt to remain relevant after he was
endorsed by President Trump to be a “viable news source”, Jones posted links to his Spotify as part of a plan to circulate the podcast outside of the video streaming service and the social media giant.
Spotify, a company with a board of directors of that has only two people of color, picked up the brand in 2015. The streaming service’s users can also find Infowars’ “Real News with David Knight,” “War Room” and a program called “Infowars.com Freedom Nuggets,” which are one-minute Infowars dispatches formatted to be plugged into other radio programs.
Ironically, the shows violate
Spotify’s own user agreement.
Users of the service were outraged and even threatened to terminate their memberships if Jones’ incendiary content wasn’t removed.
#BoycottSpotify has been circulating on social media.
@Spotify I have been a premium subscriber from the beginning. I have defended this platform like it was my job, but if you allow the unhinged rants of ALEX JONES to be featured on your platform, I will have to cancel my Family Plan and subscribed to Apple. #boycottSpotify
elle_superfine (@superfine_elle) July 30, 2018
Canceling my @Spotify account on Friday if Infowars is still being hosted on the platform. #boycottSpotify @SpotifyUSA @SpotifyCares pic.twitter.com/DBYlx4a9Iw
Rashad Williams (@themythicRashad) July 30, 2018
Jones whined about the backlash stating: “Spotify is one of thousands of places you can find our podcast or us streaming, and so here’s the next attack. ‘We’re all going to drop Spotify if you don’t take Alex Jones off,’ and then they say a bunch of lies about me and then Spotify’s supposed to do it. Don’t the listeners get that this isn’t hype, it’s a war for your First Amendment”
Spotify isn’t new to controversy or boycott threats. In fact, this past May, the streaming service
temporarily banned R. Kelly’s playlists because of his alleged ongoing sexual abuse and violence against Black women and girls.
The ban actually increased his streaming numbers. But Kelly’s playlist was pulled based on his personal demons. He won the cases in court.
On the contrary, Jones has been plagued with discrimination lawsuits as well as sexual harassment suit. Yet, Spotify has not removed any of his content.
Note: Infowars podcasts are also hosted on Apple’s iTunes.
