Deezer Labels AI Music to Fight Streaming Fraud

Deezer's Initiative to Label AI-Generated Music

Deezer announced on Friday a new policy regarding albums containing tracks created using artificial intelligence. This initiative is designed to address and mitigate the growing problem of streaming fraud.

The Rise of AI-Generated Music

The streaming platform reports that approximately 18% of the music uploaded daily – exceeding 20,000 tracks – is now entirely generated by AI. While the majority of these tracks do not achieve widespread popularity, Deezer has identified that around 70% of the streams they receive from these sources are fraudulent.

These artificially inflated streams are specifically intended to illicitly earn royalties.

Combating Fraudulent Streaming

To counteract this issue, AI-generated tracks on Deezer will now be prominently labeled. This clear identification will allow users to easily distinguish between music created by humans and music produced by artificial intelligence.

Furthermore, these labeled tracks will be excluded from both curated editorial playlists and algorithm-driven recommendations. Deezer is also actively filtering out fraudulent streams to ensure accurate royalty distribution.

Transparency for Listeners

The company believes these new labels will significantly empower listeners. They will be better equipped to discern the origin of the music they are consuming.

Current Impact and Future Trends

Currently, AI-only songs represent just 0.5% of all streams on the Deezer platform. However, the platform has observed a rapid increase in this trend.

“We’ve detected a significant increase in the submission of AI-generated music in recent months, and there’s no indication this growth will slow,” stated Deezer CEO Alexis Lanternier in a press release. “This is a challenge facing the entire industry, and we are dedicated to leading the way in enhancing transparency by helping fans identify albums that incorporate AI music.”

A Responsible Approach to AI

Lanternier continued, “AI itself is neither positive nor negative; however, we maintain that a responsible and transparent strategy is crucial for fostering trust with both our users and the music industry.”

Deezer is also reaffirming its commitment to protecting the rights of artists and songwriters, particularly as copyright law faces scrutiny due to the use of creative works in training AI models.

AI Detection Technology

In December 2024, Deezer filed applications for two patents related to its AI Detection technology. This technology focuses on identifying “unique signatures” to differentiate between synthetic and authentic content.

Industry-Wide Discussions

This move by Deezer coincides with ongoing discussions between Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, and Sony Music Entertainment. They are reportedly negotiating licensing agreements with AI startups Udio and Suno.

These startups are currently facing copyright infringement lawsuits from the record companies. A potential deal could facilitate the resolution of these legal disputes, as reported by Bloomberg earlier this month.