Hashtags like #cancelspotify, #deletespotify and #ByeSpotify (or #ByeByeSpotify) gained traction on Twitter. The letter accused Spotify of helping damage public trust in scientific research and sow doubt in the guidance provided by medical professionals amid a pandemic where misinformation can have “extraordinarily dangerous ramifications,” it said.įollowing the outcry and music removals, both Spotify and Rogan addressed the controversy - the former with promises to add content advisories to podcasts discussing COVID-19, and the latter with a commitment to better balance out controversial conversations by including experts with different opinions on the show.Īs the news of the musicians’ protest spread, so did what appeared to be a Spotify consumer boycott. The musicians’ protests came shortly after an open letter signed by hundreds of doctors, scientists, health experts and professionals pleaded with the streamer to establish a clear public policy to moderate misinformation on its service. Over the past several days, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell and other musicians have pulled their music from Spotify to protest the streamer’s relationship with controversial podcaster Joe Rogan, who’s accused of using his platform to spread COVID-19 and vaccine misinformation to his millions of fans. The Joe Rogan controversy has been a PR headache for Spotify in recent days, but it doesn’t seem to have yet prompted a sizable exit to rival streaming apps, according to new app store data.

Over spotify joe rogan tech policypress