Spotify is facing criticism after users reported that searching for popular artists on the platform sometimes returns explicit videos and audio, which had slipped past its moderation systems.
This issue came to light when users began sharing their experiences on social media, prompting The Verge to reach out to Spotify for comment.
This isn’t the first time Spotify has encountered such problems, but previously, the issue mainly involved explicit audio clips. Recently, however, these accounts have become more brazen, posting videos instead.
The problem is particularly noticeable in the platform’s Video tab, where numerous examples of inappropriate content have been uploaded.
A Spotify representative confirmed that the videos highlighted by users have been removed, but how they bypassed the platform’s content moderation systems remains unclear.
Despite the growing reliance on AI-powered moderation, these videos still managed to slip through the cracks.
This issue isn’t unique to Spotify; platforms like YouTube have faced similar problems for years. YouTube, in particular, has struggled with videos marketed towards children that contain inappropriate content.
The larger issue here points to a lack of care in content moderation, with platforms often prioritizing copyright enforcement over ensuring a safe environment for users.
Although the flagged videos have been taken down, it’s likely that more will continue to surface, as these accounts seem to persist in bypassing moderation systems.