Extremists exploit a loophole in social moderation: Podcasts

This combination of photos shows various podcasts on Jan 15, 2021. In the crackdown on the spread of misinformation and conspiracy theories in the wake of the Jan 6 riot at the Capitol, major social platforms have left open a major loophole: Podcasts. — AP

Major social platforms have been cracking down on the spread of misinformation and conspiracy theories in the leadup to the presidential election, and expanded their efforts in the wake of the Jan 6 US Capitol riot. But Apple and Google, among others, have left open a major loophole for this material: Podcasts.

Podcasts made available by the two Big Tech companies let you tune into the world of the QAnon conspiracy theory, wallow in President Donald Trump’s false claims of a stolen election and bask in other extremism. Accounts that have been banned on social media for election misinformation, threatening or bullying, and breaking other rules also still live on as podcasts available on the tech giants’ platforms.