Report reveals scammers using AI to insert fake tracks into real artists' Spotify catalogs

A report by 404 Media has detailed how bad actors are using generative AI to place fake tracks onto the pages of real artists on Spotify and other streaming services, allowing them to collect royalties that were never intended for them. The scammers reportedly generate low-quality songs with tools like Suno or Udio, create album art with AI, and then upload the tracks through distribution services such as DistroKid while falsely claiming to be the actual band.

404 Media confirmed the process by testing it with the Brooklyn band Lathe of Heaven. Once uploaded, the songs appear on Spotify, Tidal, Apple Music and Amazon Music as legitimate new releases from the artist. The report notes that smaller artists are especially vulnerable, as well as musicians who have died, since their profiles may not be actively managed. Spotify confirmed that "profiles that aren't actively managed can be especially vulnerable."

The musical group Odette Child has been tracking the issue since July 2026 and has found more than 300 AI-generated songs posing as major acts including Taylor Swift. Spotify said it is working on a tool to let artists review releases before they go live, though it remains in limited beta after being announced in March 2026. The company also said it is investing in detection and prevention and working with distributors to stop bad submissions. Estimates suggest around 50,000 AI-generated songs are uploaded to Spotify every day.