Spotify to open podcast moderation base in Dublin in wake of controversy over creator content

Joe Rogan (pictured), whose US podcast Spotify reportedly paid up to $200m (€190.7m) for, was criticised for spreading Covid-19 vaccine misinformation. Photo: AP

Joe Rogan (pictured), whose US podcast Spotify reportedly paid up to $200m (€190.7m) for, was criticised for spreading Covid-19 vaccine misinformation. Photo: AP

Spotify: Photo: Andrew Matthews/PA

Joe Rogan (pictured), whose US podcast Spotify reportedly paid up to $200m (€190.7m) for, was criticised for spreading Covid-19 vaccine misinformation. Photo: AP

Jonathan Keane

May 01 2022 02:30 AM

Spotify is to open a content moderation base in Dublin as it contends with scrutiny of some of its podcasts.

The music and podcast streaming platform has begun recruiting for a “trust and safety” team in Dublin, which will be responsible for ensuring podcasts and other content stick within its guidelines.

A spokeswoman for Spotify confirmed that “Ireland is a new Spotify location” but declined to comment specifically on the roles and functions it will serve.

The Swedish company is recruiting for senior manager roles and support personnel for the division.

Trust and safety is industry parlance for content moderation and enforcement of user guidelines.

These roles will “lead policy enforcement”, according to job postings, to “help ensure Spotify is a safe and positive experience for everyone”.

The job descriptions outline functions that require the team to “conduct objective and timely investigations into reported content to ensure compliance with Spotify’s policies” as well as “triage and handle high-profile and/or time-sensitive critical issues”.

Spotify came under pressure earlier this year to improve its content moderation procedures following controversies surrounding US podcast host Joe Rogan.

Rogan, whose podcast Spotify reportedly paid up to $200m (€190.7m) for, was criticised for spreading Covid-19 vaccine misinformation.

Spotify CEO Daniel Ek said the company had to “balance creative expression with the safety of our users”.

The controversies have done little to dent Spotify’s growth though.

This week it reported a 15pc boost in premium subscribers year-on-year to 182 million people, despite the backlash and the company’s exit from the Russian market.

The investments from Spotify come at a pivotal time as the EU prepares the Digital Services Act, a new regulation that will govern content moderation online.

Meta’s Facebook and TikTok have also set up content moderation bases in Dublin that trawl through their services for illegal or abusive content.