Between profit and truth, Spotify chooses the former.

Gradually, a pernicious combination is becoming evident in internet communication applications: the pursuit of profit coupled with the blatant encouragement of a flood of hate speech, misinformation, and celebrations of violence.

Recent internal information, the so-called Facebook PapersThe information, brought to public attention by former Facebook employee Frances Haugen, reveals that the algorithms used by the company to keep its users engaged end up encouraging posts with this type of malicious content.

In an attempt to understand what would happen if a generic user followed Facebook's algorithmic guidelines in India, an in-house researcher at the company recounts what appeared on her timeline: “following the feed "From news articles by this test user, I've seen more images of dead people in the last three weeks than in my entire life."

"The test user's news feed became an almost constant barrage of polarized nationalist content, misinformation, violence, and bloodshed," the researcher added.

Neil Young's confrontation with Spotify seems to reveal another side of the same issue. Disgusted to be side-by-side on the Spotify platform with the podcast of an anti-vaccine denier and disseminator of fake news and conspiracy theories, the Canadian musician felt compelled to act and call on those who support the platform, the musicians, to do the same.

"Spotify has recently become a very harmful force due to its public misinformation and lies about COVID."

Neil Young refers to the Joe Rogan Experience (JRE) podcast, distributed exclusively by Spotify, with an estimated 11 million listeners per episode. "Spotify has a responsibility to mitigate the spread of misinformation on its platform," Young added.

The musician says he was alerted to the spread of false information through a open letterA statement, signed by 270 health experts, expressing concern about unfounded conspiracy theories and the spread of misinformation, especially regarding Covid:

The letter from healthcare professionals states: “By allowing the spread of false and socially harmful claims, Spotify gives media hosted on its platform the opportunity to undermine public trust in scientific research and sow doubt in the credibility of data-driven guidance offered by medical professionals. The JRE podcast, episode #1757, is not the only transgression occurring on the Spotify platform, but a relevant example of the platform's failure to mitigate the harm it is causing.”

Young wrote: “They can have Rogan or Young. Not both.”

The site Daily Beast It was reported that Rogan signed an exclusive contract with Spotify in May 2020 to stream his show, worth $100 million. This amount seems to indicate that Spotify's decision to retain Rogan's podcast was miles away from any ethical concerns.

Here is the full text of Neil Young's published letter. on your site.

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In the name of truth

Spotify has recently become a very damaging force due to public misinformation and lies about COVID hosted on its platform.

I first learned about this problem by reading that more than 200 doctors had joined forces, opposing the dangerous falsehoods about COVID that put lives at risk and are found in Spotify's programming.

Most of those listening to the unfactual, misleading, and false information about COVID on Spotify are 24 years old. An age at which they are impressionable and can easily sway to the wrong side of the truth.

These young people believe that Spotify would never present grossly unfactual information. They are unfortunately wrong. I knew I had to try to bring this matter to light.

All my music is available on Spotify, being sold to these young people, people who believe in what they're hearing because it's on Spotify, and people like me are supporting Spotify by showcasing my music there.

I realized I could no longer support the life-threatening misinformation promoted by Spotify to music lovers.

Before telling my friends at Warner Bros. about my desire to leave the Spotify platform, I was reminded by my own legal counsel that contractually I didn't have control over my music to do so. I announced I was leaving Spotify anyway because I knew I was. I was prepared to do everything I could and then some to make sure it happened.

I want to thank my great and supportive record label, Warner Brothers – Reprise Records, for standing by me in my decision to remove all my music from Spotify. Thank you!

Spotify accounts for 60% of the streaming of my music across various platforms. streaming For listeners around the world, almost all the records I've released are available – the music of my entire life – a great loss for my record label to absorb. However, my friends at Warner Brothers Reprise have supported me, recognizing the threat that COVID misinformation on Spotify poses to the world – especially to our young people who think everything they hear on Spotify is true. Unfortunately, it isn't.

Thank you Warner Brothers for, in the name of truth, supporting me and taking the hit – losing 60% of my worldwide income generated on streaming platforms. streaming.

Spotify has become a breeding ground for misinformation about COVID-19, which puts lives at risk. Lies are being sold for money.

There is an advantage for my listeners, people who may be listening to the 60 years of music I've made in my life so far. It's this: many other platforms, Amazon, Apple, and Qobuz, to name a few, present my music today in all its high-resolution glory – the way it should be heard, while unfortunately Spotify continues to sell the lowest quality in music playback. A disappointment for the art. But that's in the past for me now. Soon my music will live in a better place.

I really want to thank the many, many people who have reached out to me to thank me for taking on this role – people who are frontline healthcare professionals, people who have lost loved ones to COVID, or who are worried about their own children and families. I have never felt so much love coming from so many people.

I sincerely hope that other artists and record labels will leave the Spotify platform and stop supporting Spotify's deadly misinformation about COVID.

In the name of Truth.

Neil Young

"They can have Rogan or Young. Not both."