Spotify strengthens protections against AI misuse in music
New policies revealed by Spotify aim to protect artists, improve transparency for listeners, and promote choice around AI.
Is AI going to take over the world, take everyone’s jobs, destroy all forms of art? Or, is it harmless, not that big of deal, something we can just switch off? Looking at AI from somewhere in the middle of those standpoints seems like a smart move, and Spotify’s new policies appear to reflect this.
In its announcement yesterday, Spotify recognised that AI can be a helpful creative tool for songwriter and producers. At the same time, the company noted that generative AI is also the technology behind content farms and “slop” that clogs up the platform. New steps designed to address these risks aim to protect artists, uphold transparency, and keep listeners’ trust.
Spotify has explained, “We envision a future where artists and producers are in control of how or if they incorporate AI into their creative processes.” The focus of its latest update is on three major areas: impersonation, spam filtering, and AI disclosure.
Stronger rules against impersonation
AI voice cloning has made it easy to replicate the sound of well-known singers without their consent. This not only threatens their identity but can also confuse audiences and distort royalty payments. Spotify has responded by tightening its policies around impersonation. It made clear that, “Vocal impersonation is only allowed in music on Spotify when the impersonated artist has authorized the usage.”
This means AI-generated vocals that copy someone else without permission will not be allowed. The company is also stepping up efforts to stop music being wrongly uploaded under another artist’s profile. New tools will speed up content mismatch reviews and allow creators to report problems even before release.
These policies aim to tackle things like exploitation of an artist’s identity, and the undermining of artistry and integrity. However, Spotify makes it clear that if an artist chooses to licence their voice to AI projects, that’s up to them. The focuses here are protection and choice.
A new filter against spam
The rising flood of AI has made it easier for bad actors to upload low-quality, deliberately shortened, or duplicate tracks designed to exploit streaming royalties. Spotify reports having removed over 75 million spam tracks in the past year alone. To combat this, a new music spam filter will be launched this autumn to:
- Identify suspicious uploaders and tracks
- Tag content made to game the system
- Prevent spam from being recommended to listeners
Generative AI has amplified these challenges, with some platforms seeing a significant portion of content created using AI tools. For example, around 28% of Deezer uploads are AI-generated, highlighting the scale of the issue across streaming services.
Clearer disclosures for AI in music credits
Transparency is a major goal when it comes to AI in music. Listeners increasingly want to understand how AI has contributed to the music they enjoy, whether in vocals, instrumentation, or production. Spotify is supporting an industry-wide standard for AI disclosures, developed through DDEX, which will allow creators to indicate where AI was used.
This approach is about building trust, not penalizing responsible use. Platforms like Deezer now tag AI music, reflecting a broader shift toward clarity across streaming services. By adopting a standardised approach, Spotify ensures that information about AI involvement is consistent and reliable. This is an approach that requires industry-wide collaboration, and record labels and distributors (including RouteNote) are on board to work towards this standard.
These updates also complement the growing conversation about AI-assisted vs AI-generated music, helping creators and listeners distinguish between different levels of AI use.
As AI continues to reshape how music is created and shared, platforms like Spotify are starting to set the standard for responsible use. These new measures show that innovation and protection don’t have to be at odds – artists can explore AI tools while knowing their work, identity, and royalties are safeguarded. In a world where technology moves faster than ever, having clear rules and transparency helps ensure that creativity, fairness, and trust remain at the heart of music.