The Pop Corporation

Spotify’s flirtation with authoritarian politics continues. It started with creaming money off the success of Rogan’s podcast, it continued with the news that founder Daniel Ek was using everyone’s money to fund AI in drones for war, and now, ICE recruitment.

A number of artists have been pulling their music off the platform, and some conscientious users decided to nix their memberships, but most have remained because it’s just so convenient. Such is life.

Artists are continually being tested though, as royalty payments from the company are paltry, and apart from seeing the service as a giant flyering service for their music, many are considering whether it is all worth it or not.

While most fee-paying members are absolved of ads, those using the ‘freemium’ version of the platform have found their resolve being tested by the appearance of recruitment advertisement for the controversial ICE goon squad in the United States.

Unfortunate listeners have been tuning in to Spotify and hearing adverts telling them that they can “fulfill [their] mission” and “join the mission to protect America” by becoming agents for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The ad continues to target the worst of the worst, specifically disenfranchised cops, adding: “In sanctuary cities, you’re ordered to stand down while dangerous illegals walk free.”

It isn’t just Spotify that are running these spots, as they’ve also appeared on YouTube, HBO, Hulu, and other streaming services.

A spokesperson for Spotify says these ads are “art of a broad campaign the US government is running across television, streaming, and online channels” and that they don’t violate any Spotify policies regarding advertising.

Short version to users – ‘suck it up’.

Already, labels such as ANTI- and Epitaph have asked Spotify to remove these ICE commercials, but aside from everyone cool opting out of the service, it looks like nothing is going to happen, as Daniel Ek is largely unmoved by any criticism that come the way of his company.