Four years ago the FTC issued an order compelling nine of the largest social media and video streaming platforms to share detailed information on how they collect and use personal consumer data. The report flags issues like indefinite data retention policies, instances of not fully complying with user data deletion requests, and targeting based on protected sensitive data (such as where an individual goes to church, or their medical needs). The FTC ends the report with suggestions on curbing discovered issues, including giving users more granular control over how their data is used in automated systems, and to close the loophole of companies passively ignoring the existence of underaged users so their platform doesn’t have to comply with COPPA.
Partnering To Combat the Spread of Violent Content Online
Spotify has re-affirmed their platform rules regarding content that promotes terrorism or violent extremism, working closely with third parties known for their expertises regarding violent extremism to ensure decisions made regarding that content are well-informed and take cultural context into account. The article notes new additions to the Spotify Safety Advisory Council, including the Institute for Strategic Dialog. It then outlines definitions of hate content, as well as dangerous content promoting or supporting terrorism/violent extremism.
Last week Armchair Expert hosts Dax Shepard and Monica Padman received Variety’s Creative Impact in Podcasting Award. While accepting the award at a private event, Shepard praised the podcast industry’s flexibility. Having sold multiple TV shows and movies, Shepard says podcasting is the only place he’s experienced a liberating development process. His key example being the idea for Armchair Expert spinoff series Armchair Anonymous, which went from initial idea to production in six days. A recording of the award presentation is available on Variety’s DailyMotion.
Smarter, more sustainable deals in second wave of podcasting M&A by Julie-Anna Needham
Needham, host of Mergermarket’s merger and acquisition podcast Dealscast, looks at the current wave of podcasting M&A in 2024 in an article posted to Podnews. A quote from iHeartPodcasts President Will Pearson frames the past three years as the industry learning to build more sustainable, smarter deals than the first wave’s big expenditures. For this second wave to remain healthy, buyers from outside the industry are needed and growth areas to be pursued.
Brittany Bright, founder of The Influencer League, tells Digiday that as the U.S. elections approach, brands have become more and more adamant that they wish to work with apolitical influencers in the interest of brand safety. In some cases, Bright claims, influencers are being asked to sign contracts disallowing posts fitting a vague definition of “political content.” One anonymized example hinged a five-figure deal on not posting about politics in any way from September through January 2025. The pivot in priorities from 2020 initiatives comes, ironically, in part due to political influencers. Such as the recent campaigns of Robby Starbuck that pressured companies like Lowes and John Deere to discontinue internal DEI initiatives and stop supporting social justice causes under threat of blockading their social media posts with negative comments.
As for the rest of the news…
- French digital audio company Audion has appointed Elodie Bui as Head of Publishers (source is in French)
- Chattanooga startup Station is looking to fix podcasting’s engagement problem with gamified listening
- French podcast producer /influx has signed a partnership with Acast
- 60 Minutes has launched a new companion podcast, A Second Look, which resurfaces previously unused interview footage from popular episodes of 60 Minutes.
- Exclusive from Variety: Wondery has announced Kill List, a true crime podcast about murders commissioned on the dark web.
- PorterHouse Media and sports journalist Tom Rinaldi are partnering to release the podcast “Sacred Acre” about the life and legacy of Ed Thomas.
