Spotify has rolled out major policy changes to rein in AI misuse—introducing new protections against impersonation, spam uploads, and undisclosed AI-generated music. The updates include a mandatory labeling system based on the DDEX standard, which will allow artists to indicate how AI was involved in tracks (vocals, instrumentation, post-production). Spotify also plans to deploy a music spam filter that will detect mass uploads, duplicate tracks, and algorithm-gaming, and clarify its rules to absolutely ban unauthorized voice cloning and impersonation.
For African artists, these changes come at a critical moment. Streaming revenues in Nigeria and South Africa shot up to about $59 million in 2024, more than doubling from the previous year—thanks to growing global interest in their music. But that boom has also brought risks: spam tracks and AI deepfake uploads that siphon royalties and blur visibility for legitimate creators.
Under Spotify’s new regime, artists will get stronger tools to protect their identity and royalties. Misattributed tracks or songs uploaded under a wrong profile can be flagged before release. Those using AI responsibly won’t be penalized, they’ll just need to disclose how they used it. Spotify says this is about restoring trust: ensuring that artists who put in real work get recognized and paid fairly.
However, there are concerns. For many African creators without strong legal representation or knowledge of music metadata, navigating these changes may be challenging. Also, infrastructure gaps like inconsistent internet access, limited awareness of AI tools, and unequal access to distributors could mean that smaller, independent artists still get sidelined. The real test will be in how Spotify enforces these rules on the ground and whether local music ecosystems can adapt—and benefit—from what promises to be a more secure but stricter environment.
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