Spotify has been caught hosting numerous fake podcasts promoting the sale of addictive prescription drugs like Xanax, Oxycodone, and Tramadol.
Separate investigations by CNN and Business Insider uncovered over 200 of these fake podcasts with titles like "My Adderall Store," many of which redirected users to websites where they could buy the drugs without a prescription.
Over 25 different drugs were being advertised, including the opioid Opana, which is no longer for sale on the US market due to its addictive potential.
Many of the fake podcasts included no audio at all or contained just under a minute of what appeared to be AI-generated voiceovers, with the information and links being contained in the podcasts’ bios. These fake podcasts weren't exactly hard to find either. Insider noted that some appear in the Top 50 when searching for the drug of choice, sitting alongside legitimate podcasts centered around addiction and recovery.
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