Spotify Removes White Supremacist Bands From Its Platform

Sara Boboltz

Spotify says white supremacist bands are not welcome on its platform after being alerted to their presence in a week that has seen a wave of individuals and public figures stand up to messages of hate.

“Illegal content or material that favors hatred or incites violence against race, religion, sexuality or the like is not tolerated by us,” a Spotify spokesperson said in a statement.

“We are glad to have been alerted to this content ― and have already removed many of the bands identified today, whilst urgently reviewing the remainder.”

On Monday, Digital Music News published a list of 37 hate bands, as classified by the Southern Poverty Law Center, which its author said were available on Spotify as of publication time. The center shared a list of white supremacist groups in 2014 after discovering many of them were available on iTunes.

Within weeks, Apple began pulling the bands. As of Wednesday, the majority are not available on the U.S. site. Many of the groups still appear to be available on Spotify.

The streaming giant says hundreds of thousands of record labels and aggregators contribute music to its catalog, and views them as being primarily responsible for the content on its platform. But it promises to take “immediate action” against tracks that violate its policies, once brought to light.

While it continues to review the hateful tracks, the company has added a new, pointedly curated playlist of its own. Titled “Patriotic Passion,” the list features songs by Jimi Hendrix, James Brown and others, encouraging listeners to learn more about “upholding American values” by visiting the SPLC’s website.

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A man wears a purple ribbon to remember Heather Heyer, who was killed protesting during a white supremacist rally, as he arrives for her memorial service at the Paramount Theater in Charlottesville, Virginia, on Aug. 16, 2017.
A man wears a purple ribbon to remember Heather Heyer, who was killed protesting during a white supremacist rally, as he arrives for her memorial service at the Paramount Theater in Charlottesville, Virginia, on Aug. 16, 2017.
The Paramount Theater marquee bears the name of Heather Heyer. 
The Paramount Theater marquee bears the name of Heather Heyer. 
Heather Heyer's mother, Susan Bro, walks by a picture of her daughter after speaking at her memorial service.
Heather Heyer's mother, Susan Bro, walks by a picture of her daughter after speaking at her memorial service.
Mourners gather inside the Paramount Theater. 
Mourners gather inside the Paramount Theater. 
Heather Heyer's father, Mark Heyer, speaks at her memorial service.
Heather Heyer's father, Mark Heyer, speaks at her memorial service.
Mourners inside the Paramount Theater wear purple, as Heyer's family had requested. Purple was her favorite color.
Mourners inside the Paramount Theater wear purple, as Heyer's family had requested. Purple was her favorite color.
People line up to attend the memorial service. 
People line up to attend the memorial service. 
Marcus Martin (center), who was injured in the same car attack that killed Heyer, leaves the memorial service.
Marcus Martin (center), who was injured in the same car attack that killed Heyer, leaves the memorial service.
Anna Quillon hands out purple pieces of cloth outside the memorial service.
Anna Quillon hands out purple pieces of cloth outside the memorial service.
People wore stickers and ribbons to the memorial service. 
People wore stickers and ribbons to the memorial service. 
A poster announcing the memorial service.
A poster announcing the memorial service.
Mia Jones shows off the "NO H8" message written on her hands.
Mia Jones shows off the "NO H8" message written on her hands.
Outside the service, people carry guns to provide security in the event of far-right protesters.
Outside the service, people carry guns to provide security in the event of far-right protesters.
A person tapes a note to the front door of a bookstore to announce that it will close during the memorial service for Heather Heyer.
A person tapes a note to the front door of a bookstore to announce that it will close during the memorial service for Heather Heyer.
A man puts on a purple ribbon while waiting in line. 
A man puts on a purple ribbon while waiting in line. 
People carry bats and shields to provide security.
People carry bats and shields to provide security.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.