Spotify Combats AI Fraud and Spam with New Policies and Investments

Spotify is embracing AI tools for content creation while cracking down on fraudulent impersonation and spamming. The company is introducing new policies and increasing investments to protect artists and listeners against AI-generated "slop" that floods the platform. Spotify has removed over 75 million "spammy tracks" in the past year and is strengthening protections for artists, giving clearer recourse for claims of unauthorized vocal impersonation and deepfakes.

Spotify has announced a series of new policies and increased investments to combat the growing issue of AI-generated spam and fraudulent content on its platform. Over the past year, the streaming giant has removed more than 75 million "spammy tracks" Spotify has deleted 75m+ ‘spammy tracks’ – as it unveils new AI music policies^[1], highlighting the need for stringent measures to protect artists and listeners alike.

The new policies, unveiled today, focus on three key areas: improved enforcement of impersonation violations, a new spam filtering system, and AI disclosures for music with "industry-standard credits". Spotify is investing in preventing unauthorized AI voice clones and deepfakes, and addressing content mismatches where fraudulent actors upload music to another artist's profile across streaming services. The company emphasizes that vocal impersonation without authorization exploits artists' identities and undermines their work Spotify has deleted 75m+ ‘spammy tracks’ – as it unveils new AI music policies^[1].

Spotify is also introducing a new spam filter designed to combat AI-enabled content manipulation. This system will target accounts engaging in mass uploads, creating excessive duplicates, manipulating SEO, and uploading tracks just over 30 seconds to accumulate royalty-bearing streams. The filter will flag these tracks and stop recommending them across Spotify programming Spotify has deleted 75m+ ‘spammy tracks’ – as it unveils new AI music policies^[1].

Additionally, Spotify is helping develop and will support a new industry standard for AI disclosures in music credits, developed through DDEX (Digital Data Exchange). This standard will enable artists and rightsholders to clearly indicate where and how AI played a role in track creation, whether in AI-generated vocals, instrumentation, or post-production. The company will begin displaying this information across the app, strengthening trust across the platform Spotify has deleted 75m+ ‘spammy tracks’ – as it unveils new AI music policies^[1].

The new policies have secured broad industry support, with Spotify working alongside partners including Amuse, AudioSalad, Believe, CD Baby, DistroKid, Downtown Artist & Label Services, EMPIRE, Encoding Management Service – EMS GmbH, FUGA, IDOL, Kontor New Media, Labelcamp, NueMeta, Revelator, SonoSuite, Soundrop, and Supply Chain Spotify has deleted 75m+ ‘spammy tracks’ – as it unveils new AI music policies^[1]. Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group have also expressed their support for these measures, welcoming them as important steps forward in protecting the music ecosystem Spotify has deleted 75m+ ‘spammy tracks’ – as it unveils new AI music policies^[1].

Spotify's efforts come amidst a surge in AI-generated content, with rival platform Deezer reporting over 30,000 fully AI-generated tracks daily, up from 20,000 in April and 10,000 in January Spotify has deleted 75m+ ‘spammy tracks’ – as it unveils new AI music policies^[1]. The company believes that the primary purpose of uploading these tracks is fraudulent activity rather than genuine creative expression. Spotify's analysis suggests that tracks that appear to be primarily prompt-generated currently represent a "de minimis level of engagement" on the platform Spotify has deleted 75m+ ‘spammy tracks’ – as it unveils new AI music policies^[1].

Spotify's VP Global Head of Music Product, Charlie Hellman, emphasized that the company is not here to punish artists for using AI authentically and responsibly. The new policies aim to give artists clearer recourse for claims of unauthorized vocal impersonation and deepfakes, while also protecting the platform's integrity and user experience Spotify has deleted 75m+ ‘spammy tracks’ – as it unveils new AI music policies^[1].