Spotify has unveiled tougher AI policies to block impersonation, fight spam, and introduce industry-standard AI disclosures, aiming to protect artists and maintain listener trust as generative AI reshapes music. (Source: Image by RR)

Spotify to Tackle Fraudulent Uploads, Profile Mismatches with New Filtering System

Spotify is doubling down on efforts to protect artists and listeners as generative AI reshapes the music industry. The streaming giant announced new rules and tools aimed at curbing impersonation, combating spam, and improving transparency about how AI is used in music production. The company, as noted in newsroom.spotify.com, said it removed over 75 million spammy tracks in the past year alone, reflecting the growing abuse of AI content farms flooding the platform.

A centerpiece of the update is a strengthened impersonation policy targeting unauthorized vocal deepfakes. Under the rules, cloning an artist’s voice is prohibited unless the artist has explicitly approved it. Spotify is also ramping up defenses against fraudulent uploads where bad actors deliver tracks to the wrong artist profiles. The company said it is investing in new prevention tactics with distributors and streamlining its content mismatch process to give artists faster recourse when their profiles are attacked.

To address spam-driven manipulation of royalties, Spotify is rolling out a new filtering system this fall that will tag and demote tracks exploiting tactics like mass duplication, SEO hacks and artificially short tracks. The company says the system will be updated regularly as new spam schemes emerge. Left unchecked, such behavior siphons royalties away from legitimate artists and songwriters, diluting the platform’s royalty pool.

Spotify also announced support for a new industry standard for AI disclosures in music credits, developed through the consortium DDEX. This initiative will allow artists and labels to specify whether AI contributed to vocals, instrumentation, or production work. Spotify said the aim is not to penalize responsible AI use but to give listeners transparency and preserve trust across streaming platforms. By aligning with partners like DistroKid, EMPIRE, and Believe, Spotify hopes to establish a unified global standard that evolves alongside AI’s role in music.

read more at newsroom.spotify.com