MMF publishes new five-point guide to combat AI streaming fraud
In 2026, the existential threat of AI fakes and streaming manipulation has become a material reality for all artists, both big and small.
Acording to French streaming service Deezer, the digital music ecosystem is fast approaching a tipping point where the majority of tracks uploaded to DSPs are fully AI-created.
Although such artificial “creations” account for only a tiny proportion of subscribers’ overall music consumption, the tsunami of generative AI music is opening the door to new types of fraud – typically where genuine artists find their profile pages and identities hijacked by counterfeit music.
In March, Sony Music reportedly requested the removal of more than 135,000 tracks from streaming services where this kind of digital “cuckooing” had taken place.
For artists and managers without access to major label legal support, such fraudulent deep-fakes can result in profound commercial and reputational damage – leeching streaming revenues and undermining relationships with fans.
Rectifying the problems is both challenging and time-consuming.
Having seen first-hand evidence of these negative and costly impacts, the MMF have created a succinct five-point guide to help music managers respond to instances of online identity theft, streaming manipulation and AI-generated fraud.
The guide has been made freely available here.
Annabella Coldrick, Chief Executive, Music Managers Forum:
“There has been a growing awareness of different forms of AI-generated music fraud for some time, but it feels the dam has truly burst this year. We are now hearing on a regular basis from UK managers about their client’s profiles being hijacked or abused. As well as raising the seriousness of this issue and the need for greater support from streaming services, we hope this new guide will provide practical support to anyone falling victim to these parasitical practices.”
Including preventative tips to protect the IP of artists, as well as step-by-step fraud prevention measures for all major streaming services, the guide has been endorsed by managers and artists with first-hand experience of tackling these challenges.
Howard Mills, Owner, No Other Purpose:
“From personal experience, dealing with AI fraud that targets one of your clients across multiple platforms can be frustrating, challenging and time consuming. This carefully curated MMF guide is a welcome addition to a manager’s armoury and resources, gathering a host of useful information, tips and links in one place.”
Benedict Cork, who became a victim of AI streaming fraud in February 2026, added:
“I’m very grateful to the MMF for sharing this advice. It can feel like a wild west out here with AI technology developing at such a significant rate with minimal regulation.
“This guide gives invaluable insight into how to deal with copyright infringements, especially for independent artists who don’t necessarily have the support of major labels and legal teams behind them to contest these claims. Thanks MMF for helping to protect artists and their creativity.”