Investigation reveals dozens of false Spotify -podcasts using AI votes to promote illegal online pharmacies that sell prescription drugs without provisions, which violates the US law. Here is how the issue emerges and what we know so far. Spotify faces criticism after a CNN investigation revealed false podcasts that advertise illegal prescription drugs through online pharmacies. Reuters/Dado Ruvic/Ilustration/File Photo (Reuters) A CNN investigation exposed a disturbing loophole on Spotify, which revealed that dozens of podcasts linked as legal shows actually promote illegal online pharmacies. These false podcasts, found by searches such as ‘Adderall’ and ‘Xanax’, often contain generic or AI-generated voices that are prescribed by prescription medicine such as oxycodon, Vicodin, metadone and Ambien-which regularly advertises FDA approved delivery without prescription, which is under US law. Some podcast titles have left little to the imagination – ‘My Adderall Store’, ‘Order Xanax 2 Mg Online Big Deal on Christmas Season’ and ‘Xtrapharma.com’ – with links in the descriptions of the episode pointing to dubious pharmacy sites. The problem of the problem CNN’s review found at least seven podcasts for medicine podcast in the first 100 results when he searched for “Adderall”, and as much as 20 in the first 60 when looking for “Xanax”. These pages existed for months in some cases and were easily discoverable on Spotify’s platform. Even after the edition was marked, CNN could find new false podcasts. In some cases, shows like “Adderall 10 mg of blue pills” disappeared only after CNN was doing it – suggesting it is reactive rather than proactive enforcement. Spotify’s quick but partial response after CNN said it gave Spotify a list of 26 offensive podcasts that were direct from a Thursday afternoon, the company acted within hours to remove it. However, new was seen on the platform the next morning. “We are constantly working to detect and remove the content of the content about our service,” Spotify spokesman told CNN and admitted that the removed podcasts violated their rules, prohibiting illegal and spam content. What Spotify says – and what the rules are is that Spotify allows open podcast publication, but enforce rules that prohibit hate speech, sexually explicit content, illegal material and spam. The Creator’s guidelines also prohibit the content made only to promote a product or service – especially if such content leads users to harmful or illegal services. The company claims to use both automatic instruments and human moderators to identify rule offenses. Despite these efforts, online safety experts believe that Spotify’s current systems are insufficient. Greater questions The situation has expressed concern about the role of technical platforms in preventing illegal drug sales-especially because AI instruments make it easier to produce spammy or dangerous content. Advocates and parents have called on stricter precautions, referring to the recent death doses deaths due to pills purchased online.
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