{"id":107461,"date":"2026-03-20T12:04:28","date_gmt":"2026-03-20T12:04:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/routenote.com\/blog\/?p=107461"},"modified":"2026-03-20T12:04:28","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T12:04:28","slug":"uk-government-drops-ai-copyright-opt-out-plan-after-backlash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/routenote.com\/blog\/uk-government-drops-ai-copyright-opt-out-plan-after-backlash\/","title":{"rendered":"UK government drops AI copyright opt-out plan after backlash"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

After pushback from high-profile artists and music industry giants, the UK government has U-turned on its AI training plan.<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The UK government has officially abandoned its controversial plan to change how copyrighted material can be used in AI training, following months of backlash from across the creative industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Complete Music Update<\/a> reports, the proposal centred on a \u201ctext and data mining\u201d (TDM) exception. This would have allowed AI companies to train their models on existing content, including music, without permission, unless rights holders actively opted out. Critics argued this system would weaken copyright protections and place an unfair burden on creators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That approach has now been dropped. BBC News<\/a> shares that technology Secretary Liz Kendall confirmed the shift, stating, “We have listened.” The government has also made it clear that it no longer supports the opt-out model and currently has \u201cno preferred option\u201d for what comes next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This marks a major reversal from its earlier position, which had already sparked concern across the music industry and beyond. The government’s original opt-out proposal<\/a> raised serious questions around ownership and control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite stepping back, the government has not replaced the plan with a clear alternative. Instead, it will continue consulting while exploring other areas, including licensing frameworks, transparency rules, and how AI-generated content should be labelled. Officials have also pointed to new areas of focus, such as AI-generated \u201cdigital replicas\u201d, also known as “deepfakes”. This is becoming a growing concern, particularly in music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recent figures highlight the scale of the issue. Sony Music has reportedly asked streaming platforms to remove more than 135,000 tracks featuring unauthorised AI voice clones of its artists. According to Sony\u2019s Dennis Kooker, these recordings can cause \u201cdirect commercial harm to legitimate recording artists\u201d and may even damage release campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sony removes over 135,000 AI deepfake songs from streaming platforms<\/a><\/blockquote>