Spotify is under fire after reports revealed a disturbing trend: dozens of fake podcast pages on the platform promoting illegal online pharmacies. These so-called podcasts, often featuring computer-generated voices, are using the platform to advertise prescription medications such as Xanax, Adderall, and Oxycontin—often claiming delivery without the need for a prescription.
Growing Pressure on Tech Platforms
This comes amidst growing pressure from parents and lawmakers who are urging tech companies to do more to curb the availability of counterfeit and dangerous drugs online—especially after tragic cases of teen overdoses linked to pills purchased from unauthorized websites.
Spotify has acknowledged the issue, and according to a spokesperson, swiftly removed several flagged podcasts that violated their terms of service. Still, fresh instances continue to emerge, raising concerns about the platform’s moderation capabilities and the effectiveness of its enforcement tools.
The Scope of the Problem
A simple search for prescription drug names like “Adderall” or “Xanax” reveals not only health-related content and mental health discussions but also numerous listings clearly posing as podcasts that push users toward shady online pharmacies. Some of these podcast pages have been live for months, despite violating Spotify’s content policies.
One example is a channel titled Xtrapharma.com, which uploaded short episodes featuring text-to-speech ads for powerful medications and promised “FDA-approved delivery without a prescription.” Another called My Adderall Store blatantly linked users to sites offering addictive drugs, sometimes even with promo codes and seasonal discounts.
Spotify’s Moderation Struggles
Spotify’s public creator guidelines prohibit illegal, misleading, or spammy content, including content that promotes the sale of regulated substances. The company has both AI tools and human moderators in place, but the volume and automation of content creation—fueled by AI—appear to be overwhelming their current capabilities.
Experts say podcasts pose unique moderation challenges because audio content is harder to scan and filter compared to text or video. Unlike videos, where visual cues can help identify illicit content, voice-based content requires a more sophisticated approach to detection.
Even after some podcasts were taken down in response to media inquiries, similar listings continued to appear on the platform shortly after.
A Wider Problem Across the Web
The issue isn’t limited to Spotify. In the past, tech giants like Google, Facebook, and Twitter (now X) have also been called out by government agencies and watchdogs for failing to prevent illegal drug marketing. In 2011, Google paid a $500 million fine for facilitating ads from Canadian pharmacies targeting U.S. users.
Despite efforts, critics say current regulations allow tech platforms too much leeway, as U.S. law generally shields them from liability over user-generated content.
Spotify’s Next Steps
To its credit, Spotify has been gradually strengthening its content policies. In response to the 2022 Joe Rogan controversy, the platform introduced a Safety Advisory Council and acquired Kinzen, an AI startup focused on detecting harmful content. Still, the recent wave of fake pharmacy podcasts suggests more must be done.
Child safety advocates and transparency groups are calling for stronger filters, better AI moderation, and swifter response protocols to detect and remove illicit content before it causes harm.
As the lines blur between content and commerce in the age of AI, platforms like Spotify face the challenge of balancing openness with responsibility—especially when the risks include public health and safety.
