Substack Takes Action: Removing Multiple Newsletters, Including Pro-Nazi Content, Amid Mounting Pressure

Substack has stated that it recently removed multiple publications that were inciting violence, following complaints from writers about the presence of pro-Nazi content on the platform. Casey Newton, founder of the tech news publication Platformer, flagged a list of publications that were violating content guidelines, leading to the removal of five of them by Substack.

The newsletters that were removed all had unpaid subscribers and collectively had around 100 active readers, as reported by the company.

This move to take down the content could signal a shift in stance for Substack, a platform for writers to publish free or paid newsletters, which has previously taken a very relaxed approach to content moderation.

The company's goal is to serve as a central space for diverse voices, expert opinions, and meaningful discussions that are often lacking in traditional media outlets. Despite having clear rules against promoting violence, a November article in The Atlantic highlighted numerous newsletters on the platform featuring Nazi symbols and expressing support for far-right extremism. This has prompted many Substack authors to demand change, while the company leadership has refused to address the issue.

In December, over 200 authors from the platform expressed concerns about newsletters promoting Nazi and white nationalist views with thousands of paid subscribers. They accused Substack of allowing and profiting from this content. Substack receives 10% of profits from paid newsletters.

The letter from Substack publishers expresses disbelief that individuals with offensive content and ideologies, such as a swastika avatar, discussing The Jewish question, or promoting Great Replacement Theory, are allowed to thrive on the platform. In a late December statement, co-founder Hamish McKenzie defended the decision not to remove these newsletters, citing a commitment to free speech and open discourse.

McKenzie made it clear that the company does not support Nazis or extremist views, but acknowledges that some people do hold those beliefs. Despite removing some newsletters, Substack has no plans to change its current decentralized moderation approach, which gives power to readers and writers.

The company stated that they will take appropriate action when they become aware of other content that violates their guidelines.

Substack has secured millions in funding from top venture capital firms like Andreessen Horowitz and has been valued at $500 million to $1 billion during those funding rounds.

The company has attracted prominent writers from various media outlets, including Glenn Greenwald, Matthew Yglesias, Andrew Sullivan, Bari Weiss, and Heather Cox Richardson, who advocate for free speech, diverse thinking, and open discussion.

According to the company, Substack has over 35 million active subscriptions, with 2 million being paid subscriptions. Some newsletters have left the platform during the ongoing debate, and others, like Platformer, have considered doing the same.

Substack removed accounts that promoted violence after being pointed out by Newton. According to the writer of Platformer, the battle over content moderation is far from over. Newton mentioned that while explicitly Nazi publications are expected to be removed in the near future, the division among Substack users on content moderation will persist. He also predicted that these tensions will resurface the next time the company faces a content moderation controversy.