Drug Sites Hijacked Spotify’s Search Ranking Through Fake Podcasts, Report Finds
A report reveals that Spotify removed thousands of podcasts promoting illegal online pharmacies after facing pressure from lawmakers. The company is being criticized for its slow moderation response.
Why it matters
It raises questions about the responsibility of tech platforms in moderating illegal content and the effectiveness of their automated systems.
Photo-Illustration: WIRED Staff; Getty Images Comment Loader Save Story Save this story Comment Loader Save Story Save this story For the past year, Spotify has been quietly purging tens of thousands of podcasts that advertised illegal online pharmacies. A report released Thursday by Senator Maggie Hassan, ranking member of the Joint Economic Committee, faults the company for acting only after news outlets exposed the content and her office spent nearly a year pressing for answers.
The framing focuses on corporate failure and the necessity of government oversight.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in