Spotify removes AI-generated songs due to fraud concerns.

Spotify Takes Action Against AI Music Start-Up Boomy

Streaming music giant Spotify has removed tens of thousands of songs from its platform in response to concerns over streaming fraud and clutter. The company has taken action against AI music start-up Boomy, which allows users to generate tracks automatically using different styles or descriptors. Spotify removed around seven percent of the tracks uploaded by Boomy, which were thought to have been artificially streamed by online bots posing as human listeners. The move comes as the music industry grapples with issues related to the growing trend of AI-generated songs and the subsequent manipulation of streaming data.

Universal Music Alerts Streaming Platforms to Suspicious Activity

Universal Music, a major recording company, alerted major streaming platforms to suspicious streaming activity on Boomy tracks. To address the AI streaming problem affecting the entire industry, Spotify responded by removing the flagged content. “Artificial streaming is a longstanding, industry-wide issue that Spotify is working to stamp out across our service,” the company said in a statement.

Concerns Over Generative AI

Universal’s Chief Digital Officer, Michael Nash, praised the vigilance of streaming services, saying: “We are always encouraged when we see our partners exercise vigilance around the monitoring or activity on their platforms.” The Chief Executive of Universal, Lucian Grainge, has voiced concerns about the abundance of music on websites like Spotify, where 100,000 new songs are added every day. Grainge cautioned that generative AI, if unchecked, will increase the volume of unwanted content on platforms and lead to problems with existing copyright laws.

Boomy Resumes Submitting Fresh Music to Spotify

Over the weekend, Boomy resumed submitting fresh music to Spotify, and it is currently negotiating the return of its catalog. The company emphasized its stance against manipulation and artificial streaming, asserting, “Boomy is categorically against any type of manipulation or artificial streaming. We are working with industry partners to address this issue.”

• Spotify has removed tens of thousands of songs from its platform in response to concerns over streaming fraud and clutter.
• The company has taken action against AI music start-up Boomy, which allows users to generate tracks automatically using different styles or descriptors.
• Universal Music alerted major streaming platforms to suspicious streaming activity on Boomy tracks.
• The Chief Executive of Universal, Lucian Grainge, has voiced concerns about the abundance of music on websites like Spotify, where 100,000 new songs are added every day.
• Boomy is currently negotiating the return of its catalog.

Read more at the Financial Times here.