Sony Music seeks removal of more than 260,000 AI deepfakes

Sony Music had asked digital platforms by the end of September to take down more than 260,000 AI-generated tracks impersonating its artists, nearly doubling the 135,000 it had sought to remove by the end of March. The company told the Financial Times the activity is “becoming an uphill struggle” and said platforms should act quickly while preventing removed tracks from reappearing.

The flagged tracks allegedly imitate voices and likenesses of Sony-affiliated artists including Harry Styles, Adele, Britney Spears, Queen, and Michael Jackson. Sony described the material as “generative AI deepfake tracks” created without permission, saying the practice harms artists, misleads fans and undermines ethical use of AI. The Financial Times did not report how many tracks were removed, how quickly platforms responded or which services received requests.

The surge comes as platforms and rightsholders tighten rules around AI voice cloning, profile impersonation and streaming fraud. Spotify introduced a policy in September 2025 allowing vocal impersonation only when the impersonated artist has authorized it, and began piloting Artist Profile Protection in March 2026. Sony supports the proposed US NO FAKES Act, which would create a federal right covering a person’s voice and visual likeness and require platforms to remove flagged replicas “as soon as is technologically and practically feasible.”