Senator Maggie Hassan Questions Spotify Over Drug-Promoting Podcasts

Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) has formally questioned Spotify about its handling of podcasts that allegedly promote the sale of illegal drugs and direct users to illicit online pharmacies. This inquiry follows recent reports from news outlets, including CNN and Business Insider, highlighting the proliferation of such content on the streaming platform.

Key Highlights:

• Senator’s Inquiry: Senator Maggie Hassan sent a letter to Spotify CEO Daniel Ek demanding information on how the platform is addressing podcasts that facilitate potentially illegal online drug sales.
• Content Identified and Removed: Spotify confirmed it has removed dozens, and in some reports, hundreds, of podcasts that were found to be blatantly promoting online pharmacies purportedly selling controlled substances like Adderall and Oxycontin, often without requiring a prescription.
• Violation of Rules: These fake podcasts, which sometimes appeared high in search results for drug names, violated Spotify’s content guidelines and could lead users to spammy or illegal websites.
• Concerns for Youth Safety: Lawmakers, parents, and experts have consistently urged tech companies to take stronger measures against the sale of illicit drugs on their platforms, especially after incidents involving teenagers dying from overdoses linked to drugs purchased online.
• Demands for Transparency: Senator Hassan’s letter specifically requests details on the content taken down, user interaction with these podcasts, any revenue Spotify may have earned from them, and the company’s collaboration with law enforcement. She also asks about moderation tools and future updates.

This congressional scrutiny underscores the increasing pressure on streaming platforms to enhance their content moderation efforts and take greater responsibility for potentially harmful or illegal material disseminated through their services.

For more information, you can read a related report on this topic: Senator questions Spotify about podcasts promoting online drug sales – NORTHEAST – NEWS CHANNEL NEBRASKA