Spotify takes down Alex Jones podcasts citing 'hate content'
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The music streaming service Spotify says it has removed some episodes of "The Alex Jones Show" podcast for violating its hate content policy. The move followed a backlash on social media.
"We take reports of hate content seriously and review any podcast episode or song that is flagged by our community," the company said in a statement late Wednesday.
"Spotify can confirm it has removed specific episodes of 'The Alex Jones Show' podcast for violating our hate content policy," it said.
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Most "Infowars" Spotify content from Jones, an Austin, Texas-based radio host and conspiracy theorist, appears to still be available.
Jones says his shows, which are broadcast on radio, YouTube and other platforms, reach at least 70 million people a week.
FACEBOOK SLAMMED BY SANDY HOOK VICTIM'S PARENTS OVER LIES, HOAX CLAIMS
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Responding to the Spotify action on his podcast, Jones said it was "what I expect."
"I was born in censorship. I was born being suppressed," he said.
Among other claims, Jones has called the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School mass shooting a hoax. He was sued for defamation by families of some of the children killed in that attack, which left 20 children and six adults dead.
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He now admits the shooting occurred but says his claims were free speech. He has sought to have the lawsuit dismissed.
Jones' profile has spread from the far-right fringe in recent years. While running for president in 2015, Donald Trump told Jones his reputation was "amazing."