Sony Music Has Requested the Removal of Over 260,000 AI Deepfake Songs From Digital Platforms

Sony Music has asked for the removal of more than 260,000 AI-generated deepfake songs from digital platforms, a figure nearly double the number reported in March. The major music company claims that these deepfakes "harm artists, mislead fans, and undermine the ethical use of AI." The incident was first reported by the Financial Times.

Sony's spokesperson explained that the deepfakes created using generative AI "imitate our artists' voices and likenesses without permission." This surge in deepfakes is "happening at scale," they added, and is causing significant harm to artists and a loss of revenue through fraudulent streams. As there is currently no federal law in the United States to prevent the unauthorized use of an artist's name, image, likeness, or voice in an AI deepfake or similar audio, states have taken varying protections.

Sony, along with other major labels and streaming services, worked together to develop a notice-and-takedown procedure that allows labels to request the removal of deepfakes. Despite this voluntary step, the issue persists as the number of deepfakes continues to grow. In the US Capitol, the music industry has been advocating for nationwide protection through the NO FAKES Act, which would give individuals the right to control the use of their voices and likenesses in AI deepfakes.

The bill, first introduced in 2023 and formally introduced in 2024, has received widespread support in the Senate, except for Senator Ted Cruz, who blocked it due to concerns about the use of a person's image in satire or political commentary. Deezer, a French streaming service, reports that over 90,000 fully AI-generated tracks are uploaded daily, although not all of these are deepfakes.