Spotify to Continue Running ICE Recruitment Ads as Boycotts Grow

Spotify has no plans to pull the Department of Homeland Security’s ICE recruitment ads from its platform, though as the music streamer told Newsweek, listeners are welcome to give the ads a thumbs up or thumbs down.

“This advertisement is part of a broad campaign the US government is running across television, streaming, and online channels,” Spotify said in a statement. “The content does not violate our advertising policies. However, users can mark any ad with a thumbs up or thumbs down to help manage their ads preferences.”

Spotify users began noticing ICE recruitment ads earlier this week offering $50,000 signing bonuses, prompting a wave of boycott calls across social media. “I get an ad and it starts with, ‘millions of dangerous illegals are rampaging the streets. Join ICE today,’” user miss.mia777 posted on TikTok. “I don’t pick up my phone while driving. I picked up my phone with a quickness and deleted the app.” On reddit, boycott threads have quickly climbed to the top of r/music.

For its part, DHS claims that the recruiting campaign is a “resounding success.” Similar ads have also appeared on Pandora, YouTube, Max, and Hulu in recent months.

This year Spotify has also been targeted for boycotts due to CEO Daniel Ek’s stake in a drone company, Helsing. Massive Attack, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Xiu Xiu, Deerhoof, Hotline TNT, and Godspeed You! Black Emperor have all pulled their music in protest. Helsing has issued a statement reading, in part, “Our technology is deployed to European countries for deterrence and for defense against the Russian aggression in Ukraine only.”

@miss.mia777

@Spotify This was gross. I dont wana be recruited while im listening to music and I DEFINITELY dont wana hear abt ICE. #spotify #ice

♬ original sound – miss.mia777

@juliettheband

Yeah so… might be time to reconsider your music streaming service. #spotify

♬ original sound – Juliet The Band

@mourtuist

unsubscribed n deleted the app in the same breath #fuckspotify #spotifypremium #icead #california

♬ jonathan davis – jay