The music streaming service Spotify says it has removed some episodes of “The Alex Jones Show” podcast for violating its hate content policy. The move followed a backlash on social media.
“We take reports of hate content seriously and review any podcast episode or song that is flagged by our community,” the company said in a statement late Wednesday.
“Spotify can confirm it has removed specific episodes of ‘The Alex Jones Show’ podcast for violating our hate content policy,” it said.
Most “Infowars” Spotify content from Jones, an Austin, Texas-based radio host and conspiracy theorist, appears to still be available.
Jones says his shows, which are broadcast on radio, YouTube and other platforms, reach at least 70 million people a week.
Responding to the Spotify action on his podcast, Jones said it was “what I expect.”
“I was born in censorship. I was born being suppressed,” he said.
Among other claims, Jones has called the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School mass shooting a hoax. He was sued for defamation by families of some of the children killed in that attack, which left 20 children and six adults dead.
He now admits the shooting occurred but says his claims were free speech. He has sought to have the lawsuit dismissed.
Jones’ profile has spread from the far-right fringe in recent years. While running for president in 2015, Donald Trump told Jones his reputation was “amazing.”
Worst. suppression. ever.
This is a cowardly act by Spotify.
Spotify can distribute and cash-in on content generated by this violent, lying, racist without anyone hearing what he really stands for.
Instead of rejecting hate-speech, Spotify is whitewashing for the perpetrators of it.
I’m sure there are a lot of people who wish your mother had suppressed your father’s sperm before you were ever conceived.
Yep, asshles have a god-given right to use whatever means they want to spread their assholery, and anyone who slows them down even a little is an evil suppressor.
Wonder if his mother is proud of him. Mine would slap me upside the head and give me an earful if I spouted that kind of hateful tripe.