Overview

• Spotify took down unauthorized AI-generated songs falsely attributed to late artists such as Blaze Foley and Guy Clark after labels and deepfake experts flagged them.
• The counterfeit tracks were routed through TikTok’s SoundOn distributor and carried a copyright tag from the little-known entity Syntax Error.
• Spotify currently depends on post-release removals under its Deceptive Content policy instead of proactive AI-specific verification or labeling.
• Reality Defender’s analysis found strong indicators of AI generation in the removed songs, revealing gaps in watermarking and metadata standards.
• Music industry bodies including the British Phonographic Industry are calling for mandatory AI content labels, estate sign-off processes and clearer platform governance to safeguard legacies and royalties.