Is this the start of a new genre or just another Spotify fail?
Spotify’s content moderation is under fire as users discover pornographic videos hidden in search results for famous artists.
The explicit content, sneaking through as podcast uploads, has exposed weaknesses in the platform’s safety measures.
Despite having strict content policies, Spotify’s filtering system failed to prevent these videos from reaching users’ searches.
How Porn Got Into Spotify
The problem surfaced when a user stumbled across a pornographic video while looking up rapper M.I.A. on Spotify.
These videos weren’t immediately visible as users had to scroll through many search results to find them. But, further digging revealed this wasn’t an isolated incident either.
Multiple explicit videos were tucked away in search results across the platform.
Here’s what made this possible: The videos slipped through Spotify’s content filters using the podcast upload feature.
More concerning, these videos showed up in search results even when users had turned on explicit content filters in their settings.
Based on investigations, two types of accounts were behind these uploads.
- First, there were established podcasters who had previously shared erotic audio content before switching to explicit videos.
- Then there were newer accounts, using random strings of letters and numbers as names, that started uploading explicit videos as podcasts around mid-November.
“The examples provided have been removed due to violation of our policies.” Spotify’s representative Laura Batey told The Verge in an email.
She pointed out that Spotify’s terms clearly ban “pornography or visual depictions of genitalia or nudity presented for the purpose of sexual gratification.”
Yet, reports of explicit content showing up in user searches continue.
What Users Can Do
Unfortunately, reporting explicit videos on Spotify is not straightforward. That’s because the app lacks a direct reporting button for search result content.
Instead, users must copy the content’s URL and submit it through Spotify’s secure reporting form.
The good news is that anyone can report content and all reports stay anonymous. You don’t even need a Spotify account to do so.
And, if you’re not satisfied with how Spotify handles your report, you can appeal their decision. Just keep in mind that the platform prioritizes reviewing content that impacts minors or presents risks of offline harm.
History of Spotify Content Moderation Problems
The current video controversy isn’t Spotify’s first battle with content moderation. In fact, the platform has faced similar challenges with explicit material over the years. Meaning, there are just persistent gaps in its content filtering system.
For example, in 2022, Vice uncovered widespread issues with sexual content on the platform. This includes user-uploaded explicit audio tracks and graphic images as playlist cover art.
The platform’s content filtering system has also shown similar vulnerabilities before. Even when users enabled explicit content blocking in their profiles, inappropriate material still appeared in searches.
Even more concerning issues surfaced in 2020. This time, the Times of Israel discovered dozens of neo-Nazi and white supremacist playlists on Spotify. These playlists stayed up for months until the Anti-Defamation League stepped in.
However, Spotify defended its approach at the time, saying it automatically removed content flagged by Germany’s Federal Department for Media Harmful to Young Persons while handling other cases individually.
These incidents point to a clear pattern in Spotify’s content moderation.
Sure, the platform has strict policies against harmful content. But, its approach relies heavily on user reporting and reactive measures. And this strategy has repeatedly let prohibited material slip through the cracks.