Both Sides Declare Victory in Neil Young-Joe Rogan Spotify Standoff Over COVID-19 Claims

A rock-and-roll music legend removed his music from one of the world's most popular music streaming services this week after accusing the platform of spreading COVID-19 misinformation.

Canadian-American musician Neil Young wrote a now-deleted letter on his website asking his team to pull his entire catalog from Spotify, claiming the platform and podcast host Joe Rogan are "spreading fake information about vaccines – potentially causing death to those who believe the disinformation." He added that Spotify "can have Rogan or Young. Not both." Spotify confirmed Wednesday that Young's music had been taken off the platform. Rogan signed a $100 million contract with Spotify for his podcast in 2020, which has an estimated 11 million listeners each month. He often discusses alternative COVID-19 treatments and criticizes left-rated media's COVID-19 coverage on his show, and has at times been censored by Spotify, YouTube and other technology companies over concerns about potential COVID-19 misinformation.

Some left-rated voices were critical of Rogan and Spotify for purportedly spreading COVID-19 misinformation and supportive of Young's decision to stand up for his principles. Some right-rated voices claimed victory; voiced support for Rogan; condemned purported efforts to censor conservatives; celebrated Spotify for not meeting Young's ultimatum; and highlighted voices across the spectrum who seemed to side with the podcaster. One writer for The Verge (Lean Left bias) argued that because Rogan drives more revenue for Spotify than Young does, the platform's decision to ignore Young's demand was likely easy.