Brazilian authorities tackle $28m streaming fraud with operation ‘Out of Tune’
A major crackdown in Brazil exposes fake streaming plays, with authorities arresting an individual behind millions of fraudulent plays and stolen tracks.
Brazil’s Operation Out of Tune is taking a firm stand against streaming manipulation, aiming to protect artists and ensure fairness within the digital music landscape. Backed by key industry bodies like the IFPI, Pro-Música Brazil, and the Association for the Protection of Phonographic Intellectual Rights (APDIF), the operation has resulted in the arrest of an individual accused of generating over 28 million fake plays on streaming platforms.
According to the IFPI, the individual reportedly uploaded over 400 fake tracks to Spotify, earning over $65,000 in royalties. Additionally, more than $400,000 worth of assets were seized by authorities during the operation. The arrest was part of Operation Out of Tune, which was carried out by the cybercrime unit, Cyber Gaeco, of the Prosecutor’s Office in the State of Goias.
Beyond the fake plays, the investigation revealed the theft of 36 tracks from local Brazilian composers. These songs had been stolen and circulated via promotional WhatsApp groups. Authorities promptly removed these fake profiles and tracks from Spotify. Although not yet included in the criminal charges, the use of generative AI to produce fake tracks was identified during the investigation. This raises concerns about how AI could be used to produce vast amounts of content for fraudulent purposes.
Victoria Oakley, CEO of IFPI, commented, “Simply put, streaming manipulation of this nature is theft – stealing directly from artists and betraying fans.” She went on to commend the actions of the State of Goiás prosecutor’s cybercrime unit and emphasised the importance of continuing global efforts to combat streaming manipulation.
Paulo Rosa, President of Pro-Música Brazil, also shared his thoughts, calling stream manipulation one of the music sector’s “biggest concerns,” and applauding the successful operation carried out by local authorities.
This arrest highlights the ongoing challenge posed by streaming manipulation, which not only distorts music charts but also deprives legitimate artists of fair earnings. If you want to learn more about fraud streaming, check out our article here.
