Deezer Introduces Labels for AI-Generated Music to Combat Streaming Fraud

Deezer, a popular streaming platform, recently made a significant announcement aimed at tackling streaming fraud. The company revealed that it will now be labeling albums that contain AI-generated music. This decision is part of Deezer’s ongoing efforts to combat fraudulent practices in the music industry.

According to Deezer, a staggering 18% of music uploaded daily, which amounts to over 20,000 tracks, is now entirely created by AI. While many of these AI-generated tracks do not gain widespread popularity, Deezer notes that approximately 70% of their streams are fake, designed to earn royalties through fraudulent means.

To address this issue, Deezer has started clearly marking AI-generated tracks on its platform. These tracks will not show up in editorial playlists or be recommended by algorithms. Furthermore, any fraudulent streams will be filtered out of royalty payments.

The introduction of these new labels is expected to help listeners distinguish between music created by humans and AI. Currently, AI-only songs make up just 0.5% of all streams on Deezer, but the company highlights that this trend is rapidly growing.

Deezer’s CEO, Alexis Lanternier, emphasized the importance of transparency and responsibility in dealing with AI-generated music. He stated, “AI is not inherently good or bad, but we believe a responsible and transparent approach is key to building trust with our users and the music industry.”

In December 2024, Deezer applied for two patents related to its AI Detection technology, which is aimed at distinguishing between synthetic content and authentic content. This initiative coincides with reports that major record labels like Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, and Sony Music Entertainment are in discussions to license their work to AI startups like Udio and Suno. These startups are currently facing copyright infringement lawsuits from the record companies, and a potential licensing deal could help resolve these legal disputes.

Overall, Deezer’s decision to label AI-generated music marks a significant step towards increasing transparency in the music industry and protecting the rights of artists and songwriters. By providing clear distinctions between human-created music and AI content, Deezer is paving the way for a more trustworthy and accountable music streaming ecosystem.