Spotify is mostly known as a streaming platform commonly used for music, but the company also hosts other audio content, such as podcasts. Their addition of Alex Jones and his InfoWars show has received an overwhelming amount of criticism and prompted many calls for a boycott of the streaming platform.
The reason for the outrage stems from the type of ideas circulated through Alex Jones' controversial messages. A most notable conspiracy is one concerning Sandy Hook: Jones tells his following that the whole ordeal was a hoax. He is also known to have encouraged his fanbase to harass victims of gun violence.
Many are denouncing Spotify's decision to host his content while Jones urges his following to subscribe to the service as a way to fight against censorship.
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The right-wing blogger, Jared Holt, pointed out how difficult it is to get a podcast hosted on Spotify.
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Facebook and Youtube have already reprimanded his accounts on their platforms for breach of standards. Facebook issued a 30-day ban to Jones for repeatedly violating their policies. The ban does not, however, extend to his Infowars page, which can be managed by other individuals.
Youtube removed four of his videos, which lead to a 90-day live streaming ban. If the platform reprimands him in similar fashion two more times within 90 days, his account can be deactivated. Alex Jones had already been issued one strike in February for publicizing his beliefs that Parkland survivor and activist David Hogg was a “crisis actor.” The strike has been erased since no additional ones were recorded within a period of 90 days.
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