[6] In February 2025, 404 Media reported that Hoopla's collection includes books created by generative AI with fictional authors and dubious quality.

Often not labeled as AI-produced or fact-checked, this AI slop can cost libraries money when checked out by unsuspecting patrons.

[citation needed] John Eldred and Jeff Jankowski founded Hoopla's parent company, Midwest Tape, in 1989.

On February 17, 2022, Hoopla removed a number of titles after public outcry about Holocaust denial books available on the app under non-fiction.

[20][21][22][23] The advocacy groups expressed appreciation for the response, however state that it is "insufficient," as they maintain concerns about the company's practices in selecting materials and lack of transparency.