Folk singer Neil Young started a firestorm last week when he issues an ultimatum to the streaming service Spotify demanding that either his music or podcaster Joe Rogan be removed from the service.

For many, Young’s protests are about censorship; but it has to do with the passing on of misinformation related to the cornovirus.

Spotify has granted Young’s request and will remove his music from the service while allowing Rogan to continue spreading his “alternate facts” to his eleven million followers.

In a message on his website, Young noted, “when I left Spotify, I felt better.”  He added, “private companies have the right to choose what they profit from, just as I can choose not to have my music support a platform that disseminates harmful information.  I am happy and proud to stand in solidarity with the front line health care workers who risk their lives every day to help others.”

Young is not the only old Folkie who is seeking to have their music removed from the service.  Award winning singer Joni Mitchell has also requested that Spotify remove her music as a show of solidarity with Young.

In a message posted on her website, Mitchell said, “i Irresponsible people are spreading lies that are costing people their lives.  I stand in solidarity with Neil Young and the global scientific and medical communities on this issue.”

The 78 year old Mitchell no longer produces hit songs, but her songs plays reach nearly four million each month.  Her songs “Big Yellow Taxi” and “A Case of You” have been streamed over 100 million times.

Guitarist for Bruce Springsteen and Crazy Horse member Nils Lofgren is joining the Spotify protest and is removing his music from the service.  Lofgren said via a statement, “we encourage all musicians, artists and music lovers everywhere to stand with us and cut ties with Spotify.”

Spotify has noted that they have removed over 20,000 podcasts from their service for false information related to the Covid-19 virus.  However, none of those removals were from “The Joe Rogan Experience”.  Recently Rogan featured Dr. Robert Malone in his podcast.  Malone has been banned from Twitter due to posting misinformation related to the coronavirus.  The podcast drew protest from scientists, professors and public health experts who were seeking to have the episode removed.

Rogan currently has a contract that could bring in over $100 million.

In an effort to be more transparent, Spotify has said that they will be adding content advisories to the beginning of any podcast related to the virus.  The advisories will link to Spotify’s fact-based COVID-19 hub.

Chief executive for Spotidy Daniel Ek responded to the controversy saying, “personally, there are plenty of individuals and views on Spotify that I disagree with strongly. 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 who violate them.”

While saying that they intend to honour their commitment to producing numerous podcasts via their Archewell Audio platform, Prince Harry and wife Meghan have expressed concern over misinformation related to the virus.