Spotify to add advisory to podcasts about COVID

Audio streaming giant Spotify is tightening its policing of COVID-related podcasts.

CEO Daniel Ek said on Sunday that Spotify will soon add a 'content advisory' to podcast episodes that discuss COVID-19.

That comes as high-profile artists, from rock and folk legends Neil Young and Joni Mitchell to best-selling author Brene Brown, have been pulling their work from a service that they said has also allowed misinformation on vaccines to air.

Young in particular objected to his music being played on the same platform as prominent vaccine skeptic Joe Rogan's top-rated podcast 'The Joe Rogan Experience'.

In a letter a few weeks ago, hundreds of scientists and medical professionals urged Spotify to take action against Rogan, accusing him of spreading falsehoods on the podcast.

Spotify's new advisory will direct listeners to a hub containing facts and information on COVID-19 from medical and health experts, as well as links to trusted sources.

CEO Ek also said Spotify will be publishing platform rules for its creators.

In a post he wrote, "It is important to me that we don't take on the position of being content censor, while also making sure that there are rules in place, and consequences for those that violate them."