Spotify Faces Backlash for AI-Generated Music Attributed to Deceased Artists

Spotify has faced significant backlash for hosting AI-generated music attributed to deceased artists without consent, as exemplified by the recent unauthorized upload of an AI-generated song titled "Together" on the late Blaze Foley's profile. The song, accompanied by an AI-created image, was removed after Spotify acknowledged the violation of its deceptive content policies and flagged the distributor, SoundOn. This incident follows the earlier controversy surrounding Velvet Sundown, an AI-generated band that amassed millions of streams but drew sharp criticism from musicians and commentators like Nick Cave and Elton John for undermining artist royalties and authenticity. Spotify's use of AI-generated content has raised ethical and copyright concerns, with critics accusing the platform of insufficient policing and calling for better security measures to prevent such misuse. Industry insiders and rights holders have expressed shock and frustration over Spotify's role in enabling AI-generated work that misrepresents original artists, highlighting the broader tension between technological innovation and respect for artistic legacy. Spotify has responded by removing the content and reaffirming its commitment to enforcing policies against deceptive impersonations, but controversy persists over the platform's embrace of AI in music distribution.