Sony Takes Action Against 135,000 AI-Generated Deepfakes of Its Artists

Thu Mar 19 2026 11:39:03 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

In a major crackdown on digital fraud, Sony Music has requested the removal of over 135,000 songs impersonating its artists, including well-known names like Beyoncé and Harry Styles. The deepfakes, created using AI, pose a significant threat to the music industry.

Sony Music has identified and requested the removal of 135,000 songs created by fraudsters using AI to impersonate its artists, causing harm to the legitimate music market. The music giant warns that such deepfakes are increasing in number and are particularly damaging during album promotion periods.

Sony Takes Action Against 135,000 AI-Generated Deepfakes of Its Artists

In a significant move against music fraud, Sony Music has taken steps to remove over 135,000 deepfake songs impersonating its artists on various streaming services. The music giant's action targets a growing trend in the industry, wherein generative AI technologies have been exploited by fraudsters to clone the voices of top musicians.

Among those most affected by these fraudulent activities are international stars such as Beyoncé, Queen, and Harry Styles. The AI-generated deepfakes not only deceive listeners but also inflict direct commercial harm on legitimate artists, especially during critical promotional periods for new album releases.

Dennis Kooker, president of Sony's global digital business, emphasized that these counterfeit tracks can undermine an artist's reputation and disrupt their marketing efforts. Moreover, he noted that these deepfake tracks could be just the tip of the iceberg, as many more may exist on streaming platforms.

The issue has escalated since last year, with Sony uncovering approximately 60,000 songs that falsely claim to feature artists from their roster. Other notable acts affected by this trend include Bad Bunny, Miley Cyrus, and Mark Ronson.

Kooker pointed out that the use of deepfakes can intensify during times of heightened demand for an artist's music, ultimately detracting from their legitimate releases. The rise of generative AI has facilitated the creation of these fakes, and as the technology becomes more accessible, the music industry is poised to confront increasing challenges related to fraudulent streaming.

The urgency of this issue was highlighted at the recent Global Music Report launch in London, coinciding with the announcement of the latest data about the music industry's resurgence, showing a revenue increase of 6.4% last year, driven by streaming growth.

There is a growing consensus within the industry that stricter regulations are needed, particularly regarding the labeling of AI-generated content. Music executives and industry leaders are calling for better detection tools to distinguish between genuine and fraudulent submissions on streaming platforms.

While the situation poses a complex challenge, there is optimism among industry representatives, including those from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), who believe governments are beginning to recognize the need for action to protect artists' rights amid the rapid evolution of AI technology in music.