Podcast app adds x-rated chapter images

• A new feature from Android podcast app PodcastAddict has been adding x-rated chapter images to podcasts, without creator consent. The Digitalia podcast discussed a successful court appeal by a website against age verification laws in Italy; and called the podcast chapter “(WebsiteName) Wins”, as you can see above. But, PodcastAddict has a feature enabling automatic chapter images, which a listener had turned on: that displayed an x-rated image for that chapter; which, using Android Auto, was also visible in his car for the whole family to see.

  • The listener complained to the podcaster, Franco Solerio (who is also developer of Castamatic), who suggested that “injecting arbitrary content with no way in the UI to tell it’s not from the podcast producer is quite bad behaviour … if a podcaster wanted to associate images to their own chapters, they would specify them”. PodcastAddict’s developer, Xavier Guillemane, told Podnews that the feature was opt-in; adding that he was “very surprised [at] this kind of image as the safe search should be on.”
  • PodcastAddict, which OP3 data shows is a top 10 podcast app with 1.8% of all podcast downloads, says it is making alterations to the feature “to produce safer results”. However, we believe that the unwritten contract between podcast publishers and apps means that podcast apps should not alter accompanying metadata without creator control.

• RØDE has announced new firmware for Wireless GO (Gen 3) and Wireless PRO microphones, which allow them to pair directly with iPhones via Bluetooth.

• The business model behind video on Apple Podcasts is explored by Adam Bowie. Meanwhile, we notice that if we watch an episode with a video, we appear to always get the video’s audio track; we’ve asked for clarification on what plays, when.

• In a new article, just published, Good Tape highlights the history of On Air Fest, which takes place again next week in Brooklyn NY, USA.

• In the UK, RAJAR published its MIDAS winter study. It claims 26% of Brits listen to podcasts every week, which is a record high. Podcasts account for 7% of all audio listening (but 11% of 15-24s). Total listening to podcasts per week in the country is 111mn hours (the US is 773mn).

• Which podcaster interrupts their guest the most? Podranker has taken 20 big interview podcasts and ranked them to work out which hosts jump in without letting their guest finish their point.

• Audible is to add a further fifteen “voice legends” to its Narrator Hall of Fame. The ceremony will take place in early April in New York City.

• Audion, a digital audio advertising company, has launched an AI agent to help the company structure, coordinate and scale media recommendations consistently across all its markets. The tool analyses audio and video platforms to work out which will work the best for each individual client.

• Some influencers are producing sponsored content without actually having an agreement with the brand they claim are sponsoring. The practice, called “specfluencing” by some, is aimed to make their channels appear more impressive than they really are - “faking it till they make it”, in other words. (This story is sponsored by Valhalla, Aston Martin’s brilliant-looking new EV.)

• Signings: Libsyn has signed Life Wide Open with CboysTV for hosting and monetisation. Meanwhile, The Best One Yet has signed with Acast, and has appointed Mike Muney as GM.

Podcast News - with Airwave

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