Spotify Faces Backlash As Adult Content Appears In Search Results

Spotify is once again under scrutiny for allowing adult content to slip through its moderation filters and appear in search results on its app. According to a report, a search for rapper M.I.A. surfaced a pornographic video among the suggested results.

The issue came to light when a Reddit user shared a screenshot of the search results. While The Verge could not replicate the original findings, it discovered other sexually explicit videos hidden in Spotify's “Video” tab. These videos are often uploaded by accounts with generic or nonsensical names, seemingly exploiting a loophole in Spotify's podcast moderation system.

Laura Batey, a Spotify spokesperson, confirmed to The Verge that the flagged videos were removed for violating platform policies, which explicitly ban sexually explicit material. However, the company has yet to explain how these videos managed to bypass its moderation process.

This incident underscores an ongoing challenge for Spotify. Users have previously reported encountering explicit content in search results, algorithmically generated playlists, and disguised as erotic audio tracks. A 2022 report by Vice also documented the prevalence of sexually explicit audio and graphic imagery on the platform.

More recently, Spotify has faced allegations of being exploited for spreading malware, pirated software, and spam through playlists and podcasts. Security researchers revealed that bad actors use playlist and podcast descriptions to distribute links to harmful websites and illicit content. These malicious campaigns leverage Spotify's search engine optimization (SEO) to reach a wider audience. Even when Spotify blocks certain keywords, Google searches for those terms can still direct users to malicious links embedded in Spotify-hosted playlists and podcasts.

Additionally, spammers employ deceptive tactics to lure unsuspecting users. By using irrelevant audio content and titles referencing trending topics like TikTok or adult content, they increase their visibility in search results, further complicating Spotify's moderation challenges.