The CEO of Spotify has admitted fault with the way they handled the new hateful content policy saying the is was “rolled out wrong”. They will be restoring XXXTentacion and others to the recommended playlists as well as re-evaluating how to go about their new policy. Below you can find the original article when Spotify introduced the new policy.
Music streaming giant Spotify has introduced a new policy that will fight ‘hate content’. The most subscribed music streaming app has over 70 million subscribers some of which have put pressure on them to control hateful music that could incite hatred or violence against a group or individual. Two artists who publish their music on Spotify have already been removed from official Spotify playlists and recommended sections, their music is still available but only via search. Singer R Kelly and rapper XXXTentacion are both currently involved in criminal allegations with R Kelly being accused of sexual misconduct and abuse while XXXTentacion for aggravated battery of a pregnant woman and witness tampering. XXXTentacion’s representatives questioned Spotify on whether they would do the same for other artists accused of abuse such as David Bowie, Dr Dre and James brown. However other artists who are in similar situations remain on the app and don’t seem to have been affected, at this time Chris Brown who has been convicted of felony assault remains on two of Spotify created playlists “Top Hits” and “This is how we do”. Will he remain on these promoted playlists? Other questions have arisen as music producer Detail has been accused of rape and attempted assault. Will Spotify take action on the music he has produced? Spotify has definitely set itself a difficult task and will risk losing some of its subscribers but with movements like the #MeToo, which are growing more and more popular, Spotify could’ve come under other issues had it not have taken action.
