SoundCloud

Germany
Media and Entertainment

Corprate Bias Ratings

Risk Level:

Rating - Danger
High Risk

SoundCloud has censored conservative artists, despite company guidelines which state that "users are welcome to share (their) opinions and beliefs on SoundCloud." SoundCloud does not allow tobacco or firearm providers to advertise on its platform. SoundCloud also booted Family Research Council from its platform. However, the company has not used its reputation or corporate dollars to promote ideological causes. For these reasons, SoundCloud receives a High Risk rating.

Criteria
Risk Level
Rationale
Corporate Weaponization
Criteria

Has denied service to customers, suppliers, or vendors due to their political views or religious beliefs OR corporately boycotts, divests, or sanctions regions, people groups, or industries.

Risk Level
Rationale

SoundCloud’s guidelines state that users are “welcome to share (their) opinions and beliefs on SoundCloud, even if they might be controversial or challenge the status quo” (1). However, SoundCloud does not allow tobacco or firearm companies to advertise on its platform. It also prohibits ads from religious organizations (2). SoundCloud has also removed music by conservative rappers Bryson Gray and Patriot J (3). SoundCloud also terminated its contract with Family Research Council (4).

Criteria

Charitable giving (including employee matching programs) policies or practices discriminate against charitable organizations based on views or religious beliefs.

Risk Level
N/A
Rationale

SoundCloud does not have a charitable giving program, but in 2020 it did introduce a feature for artists to include a donation button on their page (1).

Criteria

Employment policies fail to protect against discrimination based on political affiliation/views and/or religion.

Risk Level
Rationale

SoundCloud does not provide viewpoint or religious protections to its employees (1).

Corporate Governance and Public Policy
Criteria

Uses corporate reputation to support ideological causes and/or organizations hostile to freedom of expression.

Risk Level
Rationale

There are no publicly known instances of SoundCloud using its corporate reputation to promote ideological causes.

Criteria

Uses corporate funds to advance ideological causes, organizations, or policies hostile to freedom of expression.

Risk Level
Rationale

There are no publicly known cases of SoundCloud using corporate dollars to support ideological groups hostile to freedom of expression.

Criteria

Uses corporate political contributions for ideological, non-business purposes.

Risk Level
N/A
Rationale

SoundCloud does not make any political contributions at this time.

All links were last accessed and all information was updated on:
August 24, 2023

Company reports are intended for educational use only. Full Disclaimer

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