- Technology platforms still host podcasts that spread misinformation and violent rhetoric.
- The AP first reported that podcasts were a loophole for conspiracies, despite broader technological crackdowns.
- Some are run by QAnon believers and claim electoral fraud and that the Capitol riots were “staged”.
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Conspiracy theorists and pro-Trump extremists are using podcasts hosted on conventional technology platforms to push disinformation, despite widespread crackdowns on individual social media accounts that promote these ideas.
The AP reported for the first time that podcasts at Apple, Spotify and Google were spreading allegations that the US election was rigged and that the January 6 U.S. Capitol riots were staged, among other claims.
Insider also found podcasts readily available on all three platforms that claimed President-elect Joe Biden’s victory was “a fraud”.
The “Red Pill News” podcast, hosted by a user named RedPill78, described the US Capitol riots as “a staged event” in an episode that aired on January 11. It is still available in Apple podcasts on January 17.
The AP found another podcast, “X22 Report”, which said in an episode before the Capitol riots: “We the people are the storm and we are going to DC.” This is also available on Google’s podcasting platform starting January 17.
And Insider on Sunday found a third podcast, called “Quite Frankly” and hosted on Spotify, Apple and Google, where the host characterized the election in a January 16 episode as “a smelly, smelly and suspicious election” in a speech broader view on free speech. “Quite Frankly” has also hosted RedPill78 in previous episodes.
Red Pill News on Apple’s podcasting site.
Insider
The continued availability of these podcasts contrasts with the rigid stance taken by several major technology companies to crack down on social media accounts that promote conspiracies, or apps that sell hate, in the wake of the Capitol riots on January 6.
Apple, for example, removed the alternative social network Parler from its App Store on January 10, saying the company had not done enough to moderate the violent speech in preparation for the disturbances. Pro-Trump protesters reportedly used Parler and other platforms to plan the uprising.
Google also stopped Parler and explicitly banned some YouTube QAnon content in October. He also announced that he would penalize accounts that disclose incorrect information about the elections.
Meanwhile, Spotify banned “War Room” in November, a podcast hosted by former White House adviser Steve Bannon. The show was also suspended from Twitter and YouTube after Bannon suggested beheading the government’s pandemic expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and FBI director Christopher Wray.
Still, although the X22 Report podcast remains available via Apple, it has been suspended by YouTube, Spotify and Twitter. The description of the Red Pill News podcast also states that it is no longer available on YouTube.
A fourth podcast “SoulWarrior Uncensored” is performed by self-declared QAnon believer Melody Torres. According to the AP, she said she was kicked out of Twitter. The AP also reported that the podcast was still available on Apple and Google, but was removed from Spotify after an investigation by the news agency.
Oren Segal, from the ADL Extremism Center, told the AP: “Podcasts full of hate and incitement to violence should not be treated any differently than any other content.
“If you are going to take a strong stance against hatred and extremism on the platform in any way, it should be comprehensive.”
Insider approached Spotify, Google and Apple for comment.