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Please note!
This fact brief was originally published as an experiment to test the concepts behind fact briefs.
Readers should be aware that while there is still a lot of useful information in fact briefs like this one, not all of them reflect Gigafact's current methods and standards for fact briefs. If you come across any that you feel are out of date, don't hesitate to contact us at support@gigafact.org.
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FACT BRIEF

Do Spotify's terms of use give it broad leeway to decide what content it offers?

By Esther Tsvayg
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YES

Spotify, known for music-streaming services, describes itself as "an open platform for artistic expression" but reserves the right to remove anything that "promotes, advocates, or incites hatred or violence." Its terms also state it may remove user-uploaded content for "any or no reason."

In 2018, Spotify removed R. Kelly's music from official playlists following controversy over alleged sexual assaults by the singer. His music remained available for streaming. Spotify then changed its policy, stating that its "role is not to regulate artists."

Archived episodes of Joe Rogan's podcast featuring controversial guests have not been available since the show's move to Spotify. Spotify has not commented. Some Spotify employees are reported to be demanding further oversight of the podcast, including the removal of some episodes about transgender issues.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
Spotify: Terms and conditions, user-generated content
Spotify: What content is prohibited on Spotify?
Spotify: Policy update, hateful conduct
Consequence of Sound: Spotify reverses policy amid cries of censorship
Digital Music News: Spotify employees demanding direct editorial oversight over podcasts
Vulture: Joe Rogan is already a headache for Spotify
Business Insider: Spotify is reportedly fighting with employees about Rogan episodes that some consider transphobic
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR
Gigafact
Between 2020 and 2022, under close editorial supervision, Gigafact contracted a group of freelance writers and editors to test the concepts for fact briefs and provide inputs to our software development process. We call this effort Gigafact Foundry. Over the course of these two years, Gigafact Foundry writers published over 1500 fact briefs in response to claims they found online. Their important work forms the basis of Gigafact formats and editorial guidelines, and is available to the public on Gigafact.org. Readers should be aware that while there is still a lot of relevant information to be found, not all fact briefs produced by Gigafact Foundry reflect Gigafact's current methods and standards for fact briefs. If you come across any that you feel are out of date and need to be looked at with fresh eyes, don't hesitate to contact us at support@gigafact.org.
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About fact briefs published on Gigafact
Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.