
At its Stream On event in Los Angeles Wednesday, Ek revealed major changes to the platform's user experience, including an "entirely new" home feed that is "completely redesigned from the ground up."Įk said Spotify took inspiration from the evolution of social media and added a "unique Spotify twist." So we'll cross that bridge when we get to it," he said.įor now, Spotify is in the midst of a big change. "What I can say is the contract, I believe, has some more time to go than that. … And the same rules apply to Joe Rogan as it would to any other podcaster."Įk wouldn't say whether or not Rogan's contract will be renewed, amid reports that it is up at the end of the year. "It is made by a diverse group of people too, with a varied perspective. "I think it's really important that this isn't just a decision that's made by me," he said. So we do take that very seriously," he said.Įk said he doesn't decide what gets removed and what stays, saying Spotify has experts and a Safety Advisory Council "that take those actions." "And in the broader context, it's probably hundreds of thousands of episodes that are violating other terms and services as well. And if you take antisemitic comments, we've taken down thousands of podcasts that have violated our platform rules." But I come back to it: is this violating our terms of service or not? And if it is, then we take it down. "There are a lot of things that I disagree with that Joe Rogan and lots of other voices are saying on our platform as well. "But, I think it is important that we are a place that allows a lot of diverse voices to be able to express themselves, to be able to communicate through art." "We have these guidelines where if people are subjecting other people to harm, we do take action," Ek said.


The CEO of the Anti-Defamation League called out Rogan, saying, "Disturbing that at a time of rising anti-Jewish violence, when growing numbers of Americans believe in antisemitic conspiracy theories, would use his immense platform to spew antisemitic tropes about Jews and money."Įk said he found the comment "highly offensive" but defended the company's practices. Since then, Spotify has added a link to resources on COVID-19 on Rogan's episodes, and has taken down dozens of his episodes that don't meet their community guidelines.īut just last month, Rogan made a comment perpetuating an antisemitic stereotype, in an episode that is still up on the platform.

Last year, 270 doctors wrote to Spotify about Rogan spreading misinformation about COVID-19.

1 podcast in the world: "The Joe Rogan Experience," which has been a source of controversy for the company. In 2020, the company announced an exclusive licensing deal with the No. Alongside the topic of artists' pay, Spotify has been criticized over issues related to content moderation.
