Request for Sensitivity in Content Recommendations for Ukrainian Users

[a_user_from_ua]

Dear Spotify,

I am writing to address a concern that has significant cultural and emotional implications for many of your users, particularly in Ukraine. As you are aware, the ongoing imperialistic russian war in Ukraine, has had profound and painful effects on the lives of millions of Ukrainians. The war, marked by severe trauma, loss, and displacement, has deeply impacted the Ukrainian people's relationship with Russian language and culture.

In this context, a lot of Ukrainian users of Spotify have reported the platform's algorithm frequently recommending Russian content. This includes users who have not previously engaged with such content or have actively avoided it. For many, the Russian language has become inextricably linked to the suffering and anguish caused by the russians. Consequently, encountering Russian content on a platform intended for entertainment and relaxation can be distressing and triggering.

While I recognize Spotify's commitment to offering a diverse range of content to its global audience, I believe it is crucial to consider the unique and sensitive situation faced by Ukrainian users. To address this, I propose the following solutions:

1. Opt-Out Feature for Specific Content: Implement a feature allowing users to opt out of content from specific languages or regions. This will enable Ukrainian users to avoid Russian content and create a more comfortable and personalized listening experience.

2. Sensitive Content Recommendations: Enhance the recommendation algorithm to be more sensitive to the geopolitical context. This could involve reducing the frequency of Russian content suggested to users in Ukraine or those who have a history of engaging with Ukrainian content.

3. User Feedback Integration: Incorporate user feedback mechanisms to understand and adapt to individual preferences, especially in regions experiencing conflict or tension.

I understand that music and podcasts are universal languages that transcend borders and conflicts. However, in times of turmoil and strife, the cultural and linguistic nuances become more pronounced and carry a deeper significance. My request is not about limiting cultural exchange but about providing a safe and considerate listening environment for all your users, respecting their emotional and cultural contexts.

I hope Spotify will consider this request seriously and take steps to ensure its platform remains a source of comfort and enjoyment for everyone, regardless of their geopolitical situation.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

UPD

To everyone who’s commented along the lines of, “You can’t expect Spotify to get rid of an entire language of music just because it offends you. With that logic, they should remove every language that has caused harm to anyone”: please read the post carefully.

We are simply asking for an option that allows users to configure languages they prefer not to hear. This does not mean we are asking Spotify to remove that content from the platform altogether.

[KaterynaDaleko]

Recently I liked a new Ukrainian artist whose songs are all in Ukrainian and right after that my recommendations are flooded with russian language songs which I find traumatic since a some of my friends’ families were either tortured or imprisoned in russian POW camps or illegally detained because they live in their homes that were later occupied by russians. I would like an option to opt out from this language altogether, and I wish my friends had that option too. They have suffered enough.

[ayanko]

We need button that remove all russian songs from all playlists. 

Because we don’t want to be affected by there nazi propaganda. They use music for this as well. 

Ideally we should prohibit all russians songs and authors. Because almost all russians simply support their Putin. Because silence means we don’t care that we kill ukrainian and other people   

They simply want to occupy all Europe. 
because Europe currently has weak military protection. And only Ukrainian prevented Europe to be occupied right now. 

Please Spotify lets fight with nazi ruzzians on each levels. 

[booodyk]

Plan

Premium

Country

Ukraine

My Question or Issue

For context, I'm a Ukrainian located in Ukraine. I'd love to receive new music recommendations based on my current likes and preferences. Although whenever I turn on Discover Weekly or other playlists with Spotify's recommendations a half of new music I get is Russian. Why??? I don't have a single Ru song liked, my interface is Eng, and I'm not located in Ru. Why does Spotify constantly bombard me with Ru music, and how to stop it from doing it? I love Spotify otherwise, but I'm very close to switching to Youtube premium instead

[uncoy]

Listen guys, those of us who life Russian music are presented with a great deal of Ukrainian music, by first-rate artists who now make second-rate Ukrainian language music (not their native language) like Luna.

This whole thread is mostly a typical Ukro propaganda operation to try to ban Russia everywhere. As a Canadian, I don't think we can ban US artists, despite the current US attempts to bankrupt us and seize our oil-producing province. And Russia has since the end of the Soviet Union treated the Ukraine, Ukrainians and Ukrainian artists better than the US has ever treated Canadians. The US has never subsidised Canada or given us cheap energy or multibillion dollars no-strings attached gifts.

Ukrainians, you'll notice you know have to pay back every cent of Western gifts. We westerners don't do anyone any favours ever. Eastern Slav nature is far more generous. Looks like you bet on the wrong horse. Westerners don't mind destroying the Ukraine if it means we can buy up the resources and real estate cheap. Go and look at what we did to the North American Indians, we eliminate the culture and the people wherever we go.

I hope this horrible conflict comes to an end, and Ukrainian-speaking Ukrainians will stop terrorising and killing Russian-speaking Ukrainians and Russian-speaking Ukrainians will no longer have to fight back for their language, their culture and their cities. This is the stupidest war since the American Civil War.

We all lose while the Americans make out like bandits, bankrupting the EU, buying up all Ukraine on the cheap and turning first the Ukraine and now the EU into a giant military camp where all we do is die and buy their weapons.

[uncoy]

By the way, there are a lot of great Ukrainian artists who show up in my playlists, with whose political ideas I disagree but they are still great artists and I listen to their music as long as it's not overtly dehumanising. It would probably make sense for Spotify to distinguish between Ukrainian and Russian language and allow those who don't want to hear artists from the other side of the language barricade not to hear the others' music.

I wouldn't be among them. Even if I disagree with the current politics of many Ukrainians, conflict is solved by dialogue, not by putting one's hands over one's hears and shouting "nah - nah - nah" like kindergarten children.

[TarikVov]

For many Ukrainians, hearing Russian language content now triggers PTSD. This isn’t about politics or shutting down dialogue; it’s about mental health and trauma. Spotify should be more sensitive to the context and give users better control over what they’re exposed to. Also, would you want your recommendations to be 70% music in languages you don’t even listen to—like maybe Arabic, German, Hindi, or Korean? Especially after repeatedly signaling your preferences? That’s what many Ukrainian users are facing.

[sashk0]

Wow, that’s a lot of Kremlin talking points packed into one post!

Another vatnik has paid us a visit to deny our right for not hearing russian music... pathetic!
Let’s clear a few things up:

• Ukrainian artists making music in Ukrainian isn’t “propaganda”-it’s them embracing their own culture, especially after years of Russian dominance. Imagine Canadians being told to only sing in American English.
• Russia “treating Ukraine better” is a wild take, considering the whole invasion, occupation, and daily missile strikes thing. Spare us the fairy tales about Russian generosity.
• The idea that the West is only helping Ukraine to “buy it up” is pure conspiracy theory. Ukrainians are fighting for their survival and freedom, not to become someone’s real estate deal.
• The claim that Ukrainian speakers are “terrorizing” Russian speakers is just recycled Russian propaganda. The real terror comes from the side launching missiles at civilian cities.
• Western aid isn’t charity, sure-but at least it doesn’t come with tanks and soldiers attached.

This isn’t about banning Russian culture; it’s about not supporting the culture of a country currently waging a brutal war. If that’s hard to grasp, maybe turn off RT for a bit.

[vvaidz]

!! PLEASE, SPOTIFY. I freaking' love the new *daylist* feature, but F*S it's full of russian rap artsists because I listen to Lithuanian rap. I tried "hiding" songs in Discover Weekly, thinking the algorithm would understand that I hide russian songs, but after a few weeks of trying, I just lost hope. Please add a switch or anything so I can hide those terrorists from my feed....

[Vadymmykh]

Yes! It bugs me Spotify continues to recommend me those kind of songs I don’t listen to. But it goes on and on and on.

[booodyk]

I've been using Youtube Music for a month now, got a lot of good recommendations, and 0 russian music. Good bye Spotify, I'm canceling my subscription now. You guys had enough time to do your homework, and we were not asking too much for sure.