Amazon revealed in emails to multiple podcasters their plans to begin streaming podcasts on Amazon Music and Audible, Billboard and The Desk report. As multiple podcasters have pointed out on social media, the company’s terms and conditions feature a significant point under the “content restrictions” header that claims podcasts cannot feature anti-Amazon rhetoric. “Your Content may not include advertising or messages that disparage or are directed against Amazon or any Service,” the terms state.
Corey Quinn, host of the Screaming in the Cloud tech podcast, tweeted, “I’m a freaking entertainment podcast and I can’t consent to that. How can any actual news podcast?!” Last year, dozens of musicians participated in a boycott of Amazon’s events and streaming platforms over the company’s contracts with ICE and other branches of law enforcement.
Amazon Music is the latest streaming service to become a podcast catcher. Apple and Google both stream podcasts, while Spotify’s podcasting arm has exclusive deals with figures like Joe Rogan and Kim Kardashian West.
Pitchfork has reached out to Amazon Music representatives for comment.