Smaller artists face greater exposure as they often lack teams monitoring their streaming profiles
Published : 18 Sep 2026, 02:43 PM
Scammers have been using generative artificial intelligence to upload fake songs to real artists’ profiles on Spotify and other music-streaming platforms, according to tech website 404 Media.
The website confirmed the process by testing it with Brooklyn band Lathe of Heaven.
The scammer creates an AI-generated song using services such as Suno or Udio, generates an album cover with AI, then signs up with a digital music distributor such as DistroKid.
The distributor used in 404 Media’s test was DistroKid.
After uploading the song, the scammer falsely claims to be the real artist, allowing the track to be added to the artist’s existing catalogue.
The fake song can then appear on Spotify, Tidal, Apple Music, Amazon Music and other streaming services as a new release by the real artist.
The loophole also allows scammers to collect proceeds generated by the tracks rather than the original artists.
Because the fake songs use an established artist’s name and profile, they can potentially earn more than typical AI-generated material, 404 Media reported.
Neither the distributor nor the streaming platform catches the false claim before publication, allowing the track to generate income for the scammer while potentially damaging the artist’s reputation.
Smaller artists are particularly vulnerable because well-known musicians often have teams monitoring their profiles for problems, according to 404 Media. Dead artists are also being targeted.
Spotify told 404 Media that profiles that are not actively managed can be especially vulnerable.
Lathe of Heaven’s vocalist told the tech website that the ability to create and release music as a distinct product of the band’s own work remains a major reason for making music.
The vocalist said the possibility of someone damaging the band’s reputation by releasing poor-quality material under its name was deeply disheartening.
The musical group Odette Child has been tracking the issue since July and has found more than 300 AI-generated songs posing as releases by major acts including Taylor Swift, as well as random celebrities and deceased jazz musicians.
The distribution loophole predates the rise of AI-generated music, per the 404 Media, but generative AI has made it possible to create and upload large numbers of fake tracks much faster.
Spotify is developing a tool that allows musicians to review releases before they go live and become linked to their profiles. The feature remains in limited beta and was first announced in March.
Estimates vary, but around 50,000 AI-generated songs are reportedly uploaded to Spotify every day.
Odette Child told 404 Media that streaming services need infrastructure capable of protecting consumers, listeners and artists from the problem.
Spotify has said protecting artists’ identities is a top priority and that it is investing in detection and prevention. The company also said it is working with distributors to stop problematic submissions at the source.
Amazon Music told 404 Media that it is improving enforcement through detection technology and monitoring systems while working with partners and rights holders to protect artists’ and songwriters’ interests.
The platforms have taken other steps to tackle AI-generated spam.
Spotify has introduced a verification badge indicating that a song is not AI-generated, as well as a spam filter targeting mass uploads, duplicate tracks, search-engine optimisation tricks, artificially short tracks and other forms of low-quality content.
