Spotify Removed 57,000 Opioid-Promoting Podcasts Without Reporting to Law Enforcement, Senator Says
Spotify removed over 57,000 podcast episodes and 3,000 shows promoting illegal online pharmacies selling opioids and other controlled substances, according to a report from US Senator Maggie Hassan released in late 2025. The company acted only after Business Insider's May 2025 investigation exposed the problem and Hassan's office spent months pressing for action, but did not report any of the removed content to law enforcement. The issue highlights content moderation gaps on streaming platforms and potential public health risks, particularly for teenagers vulnerable to counterfeit drugs laced with fentanyl.
Spotify has quietly removed more than 57,000 podcast episodes across 3,000 shows and 3,500 accounts that promoted illegal online pharmacies selling opioids, benzodiazepines, and stimulants without prescriptions, according to a report released by Senator Maggie Hassan in late 2025. The company began removing this content only after Business Insider's May 2025 investigation exposed the problem and Hassan's office spent nearly a year requesting action. Most of the podcasts were largely devoid of spoken content and designed as search-optimization schemes to boost visibility for drug-selling websites rather than direct sales on Spotify itself. However, a handful attracted meaningful engagement, with some linking to working payment methods and instructions for purchasing controlled substances. Spotify did not report any of the removed content to law enforcement, citing its policy to alert authorities only when identifying credible threats of imminent serious harm. The company's competitors, including Meta and Snap, reportedly make proactive referrals to the Drug Enforcement Administration for drug-related content. At least one removed podcast linked to Opioidstores.com, a domain later seized by federal prosecutors working with the DEA and FDA.
How coverage differed
Both outlets are left-leaning, but Wired provides more technical detail about the search-optimization scheme and comparative analysis of how competitors handle law enforcement reporting, while Business Insider emphasizes the initial investigative role and includes more direct quotes from Senator Hassan's criticism of Spotify's response speed.
What different sources said
- WiredLeft
Drug Sites Hijacked Spotify’s Search Ranking Through Fake Podcasts
- Business InsiderLeft
Spotify quietly took down over 57,000 podcasts peddling opioids, a US senator says
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