Spotify Announces New AI Safeguards, Says It’s Removed 75 Million ‘Spammy’ Tracks

Spotify is launching a significant new initiative to combat platform manipulation, targeting what it describes as "AI slop," spam, and fraudulent behavior. This crackdown comes amid growing concerns across the music industry about the integrity of streaming services. The company has already removed a staggering 75 million tracks identified as spam over the past year. The comprehensive strategy aims to safeguard legitimate artists and the platform's ecosystem by confronting issues ranging from unauthorized AI voice clones to deceptive uploading practices.

A key element of the updated policy is a firm prohibition on vocal impersonation, with a specific focus on AI-generated deepfakes. Spotify now mandates that any use of an AI clone of an artist's voice must have the explicit permission of that artist. The platform is also enhancing its defenses against a different form of impersonation, where uploaders fraudulently assign music to an official artist profile. To address this, Spotify is piloting new prevention tools in collaboration with major music distributors and refining its internal system for reporting "content mismatches" to speed up resolution. Charlie Hellman, Spotify’s Vice President and Global Head of Music Product, clarified the company's position, stating, "Our goal isn't to penalize artists for responsible AI use... but to stop those who are exploiting the system." This distinction highlights the challenge of regulating a powerful new technology without stifling creativity.

Further measures include the introduction of a sophisticated music spam filter scheduled for release this autumn. This system is engineered to detect and flag accounts and tracks that employ manipulative tactics, such as mass uploads, duplicate content, SEO manipulation, and artificially abbreviated songs designed to inflate streaming counts and unfairly collect royalties. Spotify, which has seen its total payouts to the music industry explode from $1 billion a decade ago to $10 billion in 2024, recognizes that such a vast financial pool is a magnet for abuse. The filter will be deployed carefully to avoid impacting honest creators, with the ultimate objective of preserving the royalty pool for professional artists and songwriters. This is crucial for an industry where streaming now accounts for the majority of recorded music revenue.

Alongside these enforcement actions, Spotify is promoting transparency through industry collaboration. The company is partnering with the standards organization DDEX and a group of key partners—such as DistroKid, CD Baby, and Believe—to create a universal framework for disclosing the use of AI in music production. This project aims to give listeners clear information within song credits about whether AI was utilized for vocals, instrumentation, or other production elements. This initiative reflects a nuanced approach, acknowledging that AI involvement exists on a spectrum and seeking to build listener trust without discouraging its ethical application. As one industry analyst noted, "Clear labeling is the first step toward helping audiences understand and appreciate the new creative processes enabled by AI."

In a recent blog post, Spotify positioned these updates as vital for steering the future of music, asserting that while AI offers immense creative possibilities, its misuse poses a threat to authentic artistic expression. The post reinforced Spotify's identity as a licensed platform that provides equal treatment to all music, with royalties determined by genuine listener engagement. These changes mark the latest phase in the company's continuous effort to cultivate a more reliable and equitable environment for all stakeholders—artists, rights holders, and fans—as technological advancements continue to reshape the musical landscape.