Thomas DiNapoli (New York State Comptroller) requested the report. He oversees funds that hold Spotify shares. The letter was sent to Spotify Chief Executive Daniel Ek, on February 2, and was seen by Reuters.
The letter asked Spotify to provide a simple way for users to report content violating its rules and to outline how its board monitors and enforces compliance.
DiNapoli mentioned reports that Spotify had hosted content that contained COVID-19 misinformation and racist and antisemitic materials. Last month, Neil Young, a prominent rock musician, quit Spotify because Rogan had misled people about vaccinations. He was followed by other celebrities.
DiNapoli stated that “as we have seen in other media and technology companies who host or post content, failure to moderate it on a company’s platforms can lead a number of reputational, legal, and financial risk.”
Spotify representatives didn’t respond to our requests for comment.
Rogan, a former host of Fear Factor TV and mixed martial art commentator, signed a $100 million deal that gave Spotify exclusive rights to his podcast. He has promised more balance. To quell controversy, the company stated that it would add a content advisory for any episode that includes discussion of COVID.
Spotify announced on Jan. 30 that it had “platform rules” against content that incites violence and hatred toward a person or group of persons based on race or religion.
DiNapoli, which oversees retirement funds, held shares in Spotify in an amount of $41 million as Dec. 31, the 73rd largest stake.
DiNapoli is one of a number of prominent activists who have succeeded in pushing for greater content oversight at social media companies.
