New
York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, who oversees funds that
hold Spotify shares, requested the report in a letter sent to
Spotify Chief Executive Daniel Ek on Feb. 2, which was shown to
Reuters.
The letter also urged Spotify to give users an easy mechanism to
report content that could violate its rules, and to define how
its board oversees content risks and enforcement.
DiNapoli cited reports of Spotify hosting content that has
included COVID-19 misinformation, and racist and antisemitic
material. Prominent rock musician Neil Young last month left the
platform last month because he said Rogan has misled people
about vaccines, followed by other stars.
"As we have seen with other technology and media companies who
host or publish content, the failure to successfully moderate
content on a company’s platforms can lead to various
reputational, regulatory, legal, and financial risks," DiNapoli
wrote.
Spotify representatives did not respond to requests for comment.
Rogan, former host of the TV reality show Fear Factor and mixed
martial arts commentator who signed a $100 million deal giving
Spotify exclusive rights to his podcast, has pledged more
balance on his show. The company said it would add a content
advisory to any episode with discussion of COVID to try to quell
the controversy.
On Jan. 30 Spotify also announced "platform rules" against
things like "content that incites violence or hatred towards a
person or group of people based on race, religion, gender
identity or expression," and other areas.
Retirement funds overseen by DiNapoli held shares in Spotify
worth $41 million as of Dec. 31, only the 73rd-largest stake in
the company.
But DiNapoli has been among a group of influential activists
that have successfully pushed for more content oversight at
other social media companies.
(Reporting by Ross Kerber; Editing by David Gregorio)
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