Sony Music Fights UK's AI Law After Removing 75,000+ Deepfake Songs

Sony Music Fights UK's AI Law After Removing 75,000+ Deepfake Songs

By Marcus Bennett

March 11, 2025 at 01:36 PM

Sony Music Entertainment has disclosed taking down over 75,000 AI-generated deepfake tracks as part of their feedback on the UK's proposed AI regulations. This revelation came during a consultation period regarding new AI copyright rules, which include a controversial "opt-out" system for AI training.

The scope of unauthorized AI content has grown significantly - Sony reported just 10,000 takedowns in November 2023, indicating an average of 144 new flagged works daily. This rapid increase highlights the growing challenge of managing AI-generated music content.

Music executive in business meeting

Music executive in business meeting

Sony Music strongly opposes the UK's proposed opt-out framework, arguing it would:

  • Harm artists' rights and interests
  • Disrupt existing AI training license negotiations
  • Negatively impact intellectual property protection
  • Create adverse economic consequences

The UK government is currently reviewing consultation responses from major music industry players, including the major labels, Merlin, and AIM. The proposed AI Bill's publication has been delayed until at least summer, reflecting the complexity and significance of these regulatory decisions.

While Sony's content detection systems appear effective at identifying unauthorized AI-generated content on major platforms like Spotify, concerns remain about:

  • Deepfakes that evade detection
  • Potential increase in AI-generated content
  • Long-term impact on artist rights and revenue
  • Broader implications for intellectual property protection

The ongoing debate highlights the music industry's challenge in balancing technological innovation with protecting creators' rights and maintaining commercial viability.

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