Deezer Now Flags AI-Generated Music to Combat Fraud
▼ Summary
– Deezer will label albums with AI-generated tracks to combat streaming fraud, with 18% of daily uploads (over 20,000 tracks) being fully AI-generated.
– Around 70% of streams from AI-generated tracks are fake, designed to fraudulently earn royalties, though these tracks make up only 0.5% of total streams.
– AI-labeled tracks won’t appear in editorial playlists or recommendations, and fraudulent streams will be excluded from royalty payments.
– Deezer’s CEO emphasizes transparency and protecting artists’ rights amid growing AI-generated content and copyright concerns.
– Deezer has patented AI detection technology, while major record labels negotiate licensing deals with AI startups accused of copyright infringement.
Deezer has introduced a new system to identify and label AI-generated music, marking a significant step in the fight against fraudulent streaming activity. The streaming platform revealed that nearly 20,000 tracks uploaded daily, roughly 18% of new content, are entirely AI-produced. While most don’t gain widespread popularity, Deezer estimates 70% of their streams are artificially inflated, designed to manipulate royalty payouts.
To address this, AI-generated tracks will now carry clear labels and be excluded from editorial playlists and algorithmic recommendations. Additionally, fraudulent streams will be filtered out of royalty calculations, ensuring fair compensation for legitimate artists. The company believes this transparency will help listeners distinguish between human-made and AI-created music.
Currently, AI-only tracks account for just 0.5% of Deezer’s total streams, but the trend is accelerating rapidly. “We’ve seen a sharp rise in AI-generated uploads in recent months, with no signs of slowing,” said CEO Alexis Lanternier. “This isn’t just our problem, it’s an industry-wide challenge. By flagging AI content, we’re fostering trust with users and protecting creators’ rights.”
Lanternier emphasized that AI itself isn’t inherently harmful, but responsible implementation is crucial. “Transparency is non-negotiable, especially as copyright laws face new pressures from AI training models,” he added.
Behind the scenes, Deezer filed two patents in late 2024 for its AI detection technology, which identifies “unique signatures” to differentiate synthetic from authentic audio. This development coincides with reports that major record labels, Universal, Warner, and Sony, are negotiating licensing deals with AI startups Udio and Suno, potentially resolving ongoing copyright lawsuits.
The initiative underscores Deezer’s commitment to balancing innovation with ethical standards, ensuring both listeners and artists benefit from a fair and transparent streaming ecosystem.
(Source: TechCrunch)
