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Blockchain et al allow the government complete visibility into any transaction. It provides a tool for complete gov control.

Privacy blockchains like Monero/ZCash/etc prevent this using technologies like RingCT/zk-SNARKS/etc.

Visibility is not the issue. Lack of distribution is.

How does a decentralized registry mean complete government control?

Distribution of a podcast is just hosting an RSS feed and hosting MP3s. I could set that up on my home computer over my symmetrical gigabit Ethernet.

It's not a technical issue, it's about control. Spotify has exclusive rights which is at odds with the original podcast ethos.

If I recall correctly, it’s in his contract that if he leaves Spotify, he gets the rights to all of his episodes.