The veteran hardcore band Thursday has taken a strong position against spotify after the streaming platform decided to promote recruitment advertisements for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
On October 16, this New Jersey-based group publicly called on Spotify to “eliminate all ICE recruitment ads from its service,” urging fans to voice their dissent.
The controversial advertisements, which reportedly offer a $50,000 signing bonus, began appearing this week for users subscribed to Spotify’s lower-tier plans. targeted at recruiting new ICE agents, this initiative has sparked meaningful backlash amid ongoing criticism of U.S. immigration policies during the tenure of former President Trump.
Considering the backlash,Spotify defended its decision to keep these ads running. In a statement shared with Newsweek, the company explained: “This advertisement is part of a broader campaign that the U.S. government is executing across various media platforms including television and online services. The content adheres to our advertising standards; though, users have the option to express their preferences by liking or disliking any ad.”
This response has frustrated many users who believe it downplays an issue of great significance. Critics contend that it is unreasonable for them to spend time downvoting ICE ads when they should not be present on the platform in the first place.
The controversy has prompted some social media users to delete their accounts in protest while more artists are beginning to vocalize their opposition against Spotify’s actions.
Thursday, recognized for their politically charged lyrics and strong DIY ethos, stands out as one of the most prominent voices opposing this situation thus far.
“Thursday operates independently and we join our fellow musicians in calling on Spotify to remove any and all ICE recruitment advertisements from its platform,” they stated. “while one voice may seem insignificant alone, collective action wields immense power; we invite everyone to join us in demanding that Spotify take immediate action against these ads.”
As it stands now, fans can still enjoy music from Thursday, including their latest independently released singles available on Spotify.
A New Chapter in Streaming Controversies