Deezer Starts Labeling AI Music to Fight Streaming Fraud

06/20/2025 Music & Technology

In a bid to combat the growing issue of streaming fraud, Deezer has announced a new initiative: labeling albums that feature AI-generated tracks. As AI technology becomes more sophisticated, the amount of AI-generated music being uploaded to streaming platforms has increased dramatically. Deezer reports that a staggering 18% of daily uploads – exceeding 20,000 tracks – are now entirely AI-generated.

While not all of these tracks achieve viral status, Deezer has identified that around 70% of their streams are fraudulent, seemingly designed to artificially inflate royalties. This represents a significant problem for the music industry, diverting revenue away from genuine artists and creators. For instance, imagine an independent musician struggling to make ends meet, only to find their potential earnings siphoned off by these artificial streams. It's a real concern.

To address this challenge, Deezer is implementing a clear labeling system for AI-generated tracks. These tagged tracks will not be included in editorial playlists or algorithm-based recommendations, effectively preventing them from gaining undue exposure. Furthermore, Deezer is actively filtering out fraudulent streams from royalty payments, ensuring that genuine artists receive their fair share. The company believes that these new labels will be instrumental in helping listeners distinguish between music created by humans and content generated by AI.

Although AI-only songs currently account for a relatively small 0.5% of total streams on Deezer, the trend is rapidly accelerating. According to Deezer CEO Alexis Lanternier, the company has "detected a significant uptick in delivery of AI-generated music only in the past few months and we see no sign of it slowing down." It seems like the wild west out there, but Deezer is taking a stand. In his view, while AI itself isn't inherently good or bad, adopting a responsible and transparent approach is crucial for fostering trust with both users and the music industry. Deezer is also committed to safeguarding the rights of artists and songwriters, particularly as copyright law faces challenges in the context of AI model training.

It is worth noting that Deezer applied for two patents in December 2024 for its AI Detection technology, which focuses on identifying unique signatures to differentiate between synthetic and authentic content. This move aligns with ongoing discussions among major music labels like Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, and Sony Music Entertainment, who are reportedly exploring licensing agreements with AI startups such as Udio and Suno. These startups are currently facing copyright infringement lawsuits from record companies, and any licensing deal could potentially resolve these disputes, as reported by Bloomberg.