Spotify support buckles under complaints from angry Neil Young fans

Neil Young was angry. His fans are telling about it.

Earlier this week, Young had asked the music-streaming service to remove his music from its library in response to misinformation aired on Joe Rogan's show. Not both.

Spotify complied with the request, which ultimately came from Warner Brothers, Young’s label. Though the loss of Young’s music likely represents a small percentage of overall streams on Spotify, Young pointed out that “Spotify represents 60% of the streaming of my music to listeners around the world.” 

Young's fans are taking their frustration out on the service. Fans flooded customer support with so many messages that the service had to take it offline at times.

A large red banner on the support page states that we are currently getting a lot of contacts so may be slow to respond. Live chat with a customer support agent or a chat bot are no longer options to message the company.

Spotify stock tanks. Spotify shuts down their customer service lines. Thousands of listeners complain and cancel subscriptions over Spotify’s decision to support Joe Rogan and the misinformation he broadcasts, over Neil Young’s music. pic.twitter.com/pjvMm7pYVQ

— Mike Sington (@MikeSington) January 28, 2022

In the wake of Young's departure from Spotify, Apple Music trolled its competitor, and released a song titled "We Love Neil."

The brouhaha can be traced back to 2020, when Spotify reportedly paid more than $100 million to obtain an exclusive license to Joe Rogan’s podcast and its archives. Rogan, the podcaster, UFC color commentator, and former actor, is no stranger to controversy. He has repeatedly urged his younger listeners not to get vaccinated and has touted ivermectin as a COVID treatment. (Ivermectin is an anti-parasitic drug and is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat or prevent COVID. Its list of side effects is long.) Rogan has also hosted a variety of conspiracy theorists (including Alex Jones), has given voice to anti-trans views, and has falsely claimed that “left-wing people” started forest fires in the West.

Young wrote on his website that he supports free speech. I don't think in favor of censorship. Private companies have the right to choose what they make from, just as I can choose not to support a platform that distributes harmful information. I am proud to stand in solidarity with the front line health care workers who risk their lives every day to help others.

As an unexpected bonus, I sound better everywhere else, he wrote.