Deezer Helps Fight AI Generated Music Across Streaming

AI generated music is increasingly shaping the streaming landscape, and not always in a good way. If you have noticed strange or repetitive tracks popping up in playlists lately, you are not alone. Deezer recently announced a move that could change how the entire industry responds. By sharing its AI detection tool with competitors, Deezer is helping rival platforms take a clearer stance on fully synthetic tracks and the problems surrounding them.

This article breaks down what Deezer has done, why it matters to the music ecosystem, and how this decision could influence the future of streaming. We will walk through the issue step by step and explain why this development is important for artists, listeners, and platforms alike.

Deezer’s Announcement and AI Generated Music Detection

Deezer made its announcement on January 29, 2026, confirming that it will offer its proprietary detection technology to other streaming services and music organisations. The tool, first launched internally in 2025, is designed to automatically identify and tag tracks that are created entirely by artificial intelligence.

According to Deezer CEO Alexis Lanternier, interest from the industry has been strong. Several companies have already tested the technology, including Sacem, the French royalty collection agency representing thousands of songwriters and composers. The process works in stages: detection, classification, and then platform-specific handling.

What sets this tool apart is its accuracy. Deezer reports a 99.8 percent success rate in identifying content generated by well-known AI music models such as Suno and Udio. Once flagged, these tracks are removed from algorithmic recommendations, excluded from playlists, and demonetised so they do not dilute royalty payments. This approach allows platforms to manage AI generated music without removing it entirely from their catalogues.

For more details on Deezer’s broader platform policies, visit the official Deezer newsroom.

The Scale of the AI Generated Music Problem

The rise of fully synthetic tracks has created serious challenges for streaming services. One of the biggest concerns is fraud. Bad actors often upload large volumes of automated music and then use bots to artificially inflate streams. Deezer’s internal data shows that as much as 85 percent of streams linked to fully synthetic tracks are fraudulent.

The numbers are significant. Around 60,000 AI-created tracks are uploaded daily, accounting for nearly 39 percent of all new music submissions. During 2025 alone, Deezer detected more than 13.4 million such tracks. Despite this flood of uploads, they represent only about 0.5 percent of total listener streams, highlighting how concentrated the abuse really is.

A real world case from North Carolina in 2024 illustrates the issue clearly. One individual generated thousands of artificial tracks and used automated streaming to rack up billions of plays, stealing more than $10 million in royalties intended for human creators. Cases like this show why platforms are under pressure to address AI generated music more seriously.

How Rival Platforms Can Address AI Generated Music

By sharing its detection tool, Deezer lowers the barrier for other services to act. Smaller or niche platforms often lack the resources to build sophisticated identification systems from scratch. Licensing an existing solution gives them a practical way to protect their royalty pools and maintain trust with artists.

This shared approach also supports transparency across the industry. Platforms can clearly label synthetic tracks, remove them from recommendation engines, and limit their financial impact. As a result, human-made music has a fairer chance to reach listeners organically.

Different companies are still taking different paths. Bandcamp has chosen to ban fully synthetic tracks outright. Spotify has updated its rules to reduce spam, label some AI use, and prohibit unauthorised voice cloning. Apple Music and others are still refining their policies.

Spotify Strengthens AI Protections for Artists, Songwriters, and Producers.

Major labels are also adapting. Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group have reached licensing agreements with AI developers, allowing their catalogues to be used for training under paid terms. This mix of resistance and cooperation shows how complex the issue of AI generated music has become.

Artists, Listeners, and the Future of AI Generated Music

For artists, the stakes are high. Fraudulent streaming reduces payouts and makes discovery harder for genuine creators. For listeners, the issue is less obvious. Studies suggest only about 3 percent of people can reliably identify fully synthetic tracks without labels.

Deezer’s approach helps restore balance. By excluding artificial streams from royalties and recommendations, more money flows to real musicians. Clear labelling also empowers listeners to decide what they want to support.

It is important to note that not all AI use is treated the same. Many artists use generative tools as creative aids rather than replacements. Deezer’s focus remains on content that is 100 percent synthetic and mass-uploaded for abuse, not on human-led experimentation.

Looking ahead, more platforms are likely to adopt similar systems. Deezer plans to expand access beyond early partners, potentially setting a new industry standard. Detection technology will need to evolve as models improve, and legal questions around training data remain unresolved. Still, collaboration offers the strongest path forward.

Final Thoughts

Deezer’s decision to share its detection tool marks a turning point in how streaming services handle synthetic content. By addressing fraud, protecting royalties, and promoting transparency, the industry can respond more effectively to AI generated music while preserving space for genuine creativity. The next time you press play, the system behind that song may be working harder than you realise to keep music fair.