AI-Generated Fake Albums Flood Spotify, Stealing Artist Royalties

A growing wave of AI-generated fake music albums is appearing on major streaming platforms like Spotify and iTunes, impersonating artists such as British folk singer Emily Portman and others. These unauthorized releases mimic the vocal style and musical patterns of artists closely enough to deceive listeners and even appear on official artist pages, leading to significant copyright infringement and financial harm. Portman and other musicians have filed complaints to remove these fraudulent works, but platforms have been slow and inconsistent in their responses, with some fake albums taking weeks to be taken down. Industry experts warn that fraudsters exploit AI technology and passive streaming to generate illicit revenue, and the problem is expected to worsen as detection methods struggle to keep pace. Legal actions are beginning to emerge, such as recent federal charges against individuals using AI to produce fake songs and collect royalties. The situation raises concerns about the erosion of human creativity and the need for stronger safeguards in the music industry.