Spotify has removed hundreds of fake podcasts that were promoting the sale of prescription drugs, according to a report by CNN. This discovery followed a similar report by Business Insider.
Findings of the Investigation
- The investigation revealed that dozens more fake podcasts remain active on the platform.
- Many of these podcasts have obvious titles, such as:
- "My Adderall Store"
- "Xtrapharma.com"
- Some episodes are extremely short, lasting only a few seconds and featuring either a computerized voice or no audio at all.
- Notable episode titles included:
- "Order Codeine Online Safe Pharmacy Louisiana"
- "Order Xanax 2 mg Online Big Deal On Christmas Season"
The fake podcasts were identified by searching for keywords related to prescription drugs and filtering out legitimate content from actual pharmacies. Many of the remaining active episodes had been uploaded in recent months, suggesting an ongoing effort to promote illegal drug sales.
Spotify’s Response
Spotify has not commented on how it plans to address the issue further. However, the company has faced criticism in the past for allowing hate speech and misinformation on its platform.
Previous Controversies
- In 2020, Spotify removed over 20 popular right-wing conspiracy theory shows after backlash from users who claimed they promoted hate speech and misinformation.
- The company also faced criticism for hosting Joe Rogan’s podcast, despite his history of spreading misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines.
Conclusion
The removal of these fake podcasts is a step in the right direction for Spotify, but it remains to be seen whether the company will take further action to address this issue. As more people turn to streaming services like Spotify for news and information, it is increasingly important for companies to ensure their platforms are free from harmful content.
Related News
- A new study finds that social media platforms are failing to remove hate speech and harassment directed at women politicians.
- A group of lawmakers is calling on tech companies like Facebook and Twitter to do more to prevent online harassment.
- A new report highlights the growing problem of deepfakes being used in political campaigns.
I’m Mark W. Lamplugh Jr., a visionary Chief Executive Officer, Board Member, and best-selling Author with over 25 years of experience driving significant revenue growth and optimizing ROI across the healthcare, wellness, and media industries. Throughout my career, I’ve consistently transformed underperforming operations into thriving ventures by building top-tier marketing organizations, implementing data-driven strategies, and leading transformational change. My empathetic, collaborative, and adaptable leadership style has allowed me to cultivate inclusive cultures of innovation, develop and retain top talent, and forge strong partnerships that fuel organizational success.
Adept in executive leadership, strategic business planning, and brand and marketing strategy, I have a proven track record of boosting annual revenues—achieving up to $1.3B in oncology over three years and generating $360M in mental health initiatives. My approach combines strategic vision with hands-on execution, as evidenced by my success in launching innovative facilities, expanding services for addiction and mental health care, and enhancing organizational brand visibility. As author of “The AI Marketing Playbook,” I contribute thought leadership on the integration of artificial intelligence in marketing, a role that showcases my commitment to staying at the forefront of industry innovation.
I also bring my insights and expertise to a broad audience as the host of cable tv & global streaming of “Street Level Marketing Show,” while my writing has been featured in major publications such as Entrepreneur, Business.com, The Startup, and Kivo Daily. Whether I’m implementing targeted digital marketing campaigns that engage over a million individuals monthly or overseeing multi-million dollar budgets to maximize return on investment, I approach every challenge with a combination of strategic planning, creative problem-solving, and unwavering dedication. Above all, I am passionate about expanding access to high-quality addiction and mental health care through innovative solutions that drive both patient outcomes and organizational growth.
Mark serves on the board of One World for Life, National Fire Heritage Center, and the Institute for Responder Wellness.
Mark (https://marklamplugh.com) is one of the top marketing executives in the United States and has revolutionized how companies reach potential clients thru influence, SEO, social, PR, and traditional marketing. His expertise in Marketing, Social Media, Digital Marketing, and Public Relations has generated millions of dollars in revenue for several national companies. Mark documents many of his techniques in his book “Beginners Guide to Social & Digital Media.” and “Marketing Playbook for Social Media,” which was named the top 100 social media marketing books of all time by Book Authority. He’s also a professional advocate for the behavioral and mental health of firefighters and other first responders. Marks articles have been published in Better Marketing, Startup Magazine, Social Media Today, Kivo Daily, Biz Catalyst 360, Fire Engineering, Firehouse Magazine, and several others.
One of his companies, niches, are marketing products and services to the public safety industry and their employees, specifically mental & behavioral health services. He can be reached for comment at ceo@influencemediasolutions.com
23,000 #1 Connections, 40,000,000 US B2B Contacts and 300,000,000 B2b/B2C email contacts as well as 1,000,000+ monthly social media reach. https://marklamplugh.com
