Sony Music Entertainment is taking a stand against the growing wave of AI-generated music fraud. During the release of the IFPI Global Music Report in London, the company revealed it has flagged and requested the removal of more than 135,000 deepfake songs from various streaming platforms. These unauthorized tracks use artificial intelligence to mimic the voices of global icons, including Beyoncé, Harry Styles, and the legendary rock band Queen.

Dennis Kooker, President of Global Digital Business for Sony Music, explained that these digital clones cause direct commercial harm to legitimate creators. He noted that deepfakes are particularly damaging when they appear during major album promotional cycles, as they confuse fans and siphons streams away from official releases. Kooker emphasized that these clones undermine the reputations of artists who have spent decades building their brands.

The massive cleanup effort comes as the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) reports that global recorded music revenues reached $28.6 billion in 2023. While the industry is growing, leaders warn that the proliferation of unvetted AI content remains a significant threat. Sony's proactive removal of these 135,000 tracks signals a strict new policy against platforms that host content infringing on the intellectual property of their artists.