Spotify Drops ICE Recruitment Ads Amid Backlash
In a move likely intended to placate critics, Spotify has confirmed that recruitment ads for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are no longer running on its platform. The news comes after the streaming service faced widespread backlash in October for featuring such ads during music playback.
The ads, which promised $50,000 signing bonuses for new recruits, sparked heated debate among users and music labels alike. Many called on Spotify to pull the ads, with some even urging fans to cancel their subscriptions as a form of protest. In response, the company insisted that the ads did not violate its policies and offered users a simple way to opt out: by giving the ads a thumbs down.
The decision to stop running ICE recruitment ads appears to have been made in late 2025, following the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. A Spotify spokesperson confirmed that the ads were part of a US government campaign launched across multiple media platforms and did not specifically target the service.
The move is likely a result of growing public pressure on tech companies to prioritize ethics over profit. While Spotify received a relatively modest $74,000 from Homeland Security for running the ads, other major players have faced much stiffer criticism – and financial penalties – for similar campaigns. For example, Google was reportedly paid $3 million by YouTube for Spanish-language ads calling for self-deportation, while Meta received $2.8 million for similar ads.
In a move likely intended to placate critics, Spotify has confirmed that recruitment ads for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are no longer running on its platform. The news comes after the streaming service faced widespread backlash in October for featuring such ads during music playback.
The ads, which promised $50,000 signing bonuses for new recruits, sparked heated debate among users and music labels alike. Many called on Spotify to pull the ads, with some even urging fans to cancel their subscriptions as a form of protest. In response, the company insisted that the ads did not violate its policies and offered users a simple way to opt out: by giving the ads a thumbs down.
The decision to stop running ICE recruitment ads appears to have been made in late 2025, following the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. A Spotify spokesperson confirmed that the ads were part of a US government campaign launched across multiple media platforms and did not specifically target the service.
The move is likely a result of growing public pressure on tech companies to prioritize ethics over profit. While Spotify received a relatively modest $74,000 from Homeland Security for running the ads, other major players have faced much stiffer criticism – and financial penalties – for similar campaigns. For example, Google was reportedly paid $3 million by YouTube for Spanish-language ads calling for self-deportation, while Meta received $2.8 million for similar ads.
so like spotify just dropped those super sketchy ice recruitment ads and i'm lowkey proud of them for finally listening to their fans 
it's about time they took a stand against supporting an org that's all about deportation and detention... meanwhile google is getting roasted for $3 mil and meta's getting slammed too 
what even is the point of having all that power if u can't use it for good lol?
. I mean, if people were already giving them the thumbs down and making a fuss about it, you'd think they'd wanna make a change ASAP 
. But I guess growing public pressure can be a powerful thing 
. Tech companies have to balance making cash with not being totally clueless 
. It's interesting how some of these big players got hit hard for similar ads, though... like Google and Meta, they're getting the message that ethics matter 
. Still, Spotify's move feels like it was a bit too little, too late 
.
! Spotify finally pulled the plug on those disgusting ICE recruitment ads and I couldn't be more hyped about it 
. It's all about people power, fam - when we stand together and raise our voices against stuff that's just plain wrong, change can happen 
. These companies might get a few bucks from running those ads, but they're also facing a whole lot of scrutiny and pressure to do the right thing 
. I'm not surprised Google and Meta got hit harder for their similar campaigns - you can't just pay people off and expect them to stay quiet 
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. It's like, we all get that the US gov is trying to enforce some stuff, but can't they find a way to do it without using our platforms? 
I mean, what's next? Are they gonna start selling us out for clicks and bucks 
. But let's not forget about Google and Meta... those guys are like the real villains here 
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and I wonder if other companies will follow suit now that it's trendy to prioritize ethics over profit 
. I mean, come on, who needs that kind of stress in their music streaming experience? And now they're going to charge us more because of it, probably 
. It's just another example of how corporate America is only in it for the Benjamins 
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. Those recruitment ads were just plain creepy and uncomfortable to listen to while you're trying to enjoy your music. It's about time they pulled them, especially with all the controversy surrounding ICE and immigration policies.
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I MEAN, WHO DOES THAT?!?! IT'S NOT LIKE SPOTIFY WAS TORN BETWEEN GETTING MONEY FROM HOMELAND SECURITY AND PRACTICING ETHICS... PLEASE. THEY SHOULD'VE JUST OPTED OUT IN THE FIRST PLACE. ANYWAY, KUDOS TO THEM FOR LISTENING TO THEIR FANS AND DOING THE RIGHT THING 
it's all about the brand image now and spotify is definitely playing it safe after all that backlash 
, more companies should take a cue from them! 
. And can we talk about how they expected us to just opt-out by giving the ads a thumbs down? Like, no thanks! We should've been able to demand more from them in the first place 
. Now that other major players are getting called out for similar stuff, it's all starting to make sense... maybe this is the start of something big 
. but seriously tho, i think it's kinda wild that these companies are getting paid for promoting something so divisive. shouldn't they just be neutral and not take sides?