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Spotify CEO Says Anti-Hate Policy Was Rolled Out Incorrectly After Pulling R. Kelly and Others from Playlist

Kelly performs at the BET Awards in Los Angeles. Spotify’s CEO says the company rolled out its new anti-hate policy in the wrong way.
 (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Invision/AP, File)

NEW YORK (AP) — Spotify’s CEO says the company rolled out its new anti-hate policy in the wrong way.

This month the streaming service announced it would remove R. Kelly and rapper XXXtentacion’s music from its playlists, citing the new policy on hate content and hateful conduct.

While some praised Spotify for its bold move, others criticized the company for singling out particular artists, and requested Spotify also apply the rules for others who have been charged sexual misconduct and violence.

At the Code Conference on Wednesday in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, Daniel Ek said the policy’s goal “was to make sure that we didn’t have hate speech on the service. It was never about punishing one individual.”

He added that “we rolled this out wrong and we could have done a much better job.”

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