The authorities in Brazil arrested and charged a person for uploading over 400 fake tracks on Spotify.
These tracks generated more than 28 million plays and reportedly earned the unnamed suspect 65,000 dollars. According to the Global Music Trade Group IFPI, they collaborated in the investigation alongside the Brazilian recorded music trading group Pro Música and the anti-piracy organization Association for the Protection of Phonographic Intellectual Rights (APDIF).
Details of the Investigation
The investigation, which led to the arrest, was part of the “Operations Outside the Melody” and Cyber-GAKO, a division of cybercrime under the Goyas Prosecutor’s Chancellery. Authorities also uncovered evidence of additional violations, specifically discovering 36 tracks believed to be stolen from local composers, circulated via WhatsApp advertising groups.
“These tracks, along with the associated artist profiles, were removed from the platform at the request of the prosecutor’s office,” stated IFPI.
“Although not currently included in criminal charges, the investigation identified the use of artificial intelligence to create music tracks, which may be pursued in future legal actions.”
The use of generative artificial intelligence to produce large volumes of tracks for streaming revenue has posed a significant challenge to the music industry for several years. This issue is a driving force behind the shift of some streaming services towards new payment structures that minimize or eliminate compensation for smaller tracks. As of last year, Spotify requires 1,000 plays over 12 months to qualify for monetization, while Deezer has begun transitioning to an “artist-focused” payment model that favors tracks with a higher play count and artists with larger followings.
“Simply put, streaming manipulation of this kind is theft – it robs artists and betrays fans,” said Victoria Okley, IFPI General Director.
“We commend the action of the prosecutor’s office for their diligence in this case and will continue to collaborate with local authorities in Brazil and globally to combat this illegal activity.”
Streaming manipulation “is one of the biggest challenges facing the music sector,” remarked Paulo Rose, President of Pro Música Brasil, indicating that his organization will persist in working with Brazilian authorities to tackle such fraudulent practices.
Brazil’s Efforts Against Streaming Manipulation
In recent years, Brazil has positioned itself as a strong advocate for music rights. In 2020, the authorities announced the removal of 14 websites involved in streaming manipulation. The following year, they disclosed the shutdown of 10 streaming manipulation services, with 20 additional services ceasing operations, while dozens withdrew their listings from the online marketplace Mercado Livre.
With the assistance of trade groups like IFPI and Pro Música, Brazilian authorities conducted “Operation 404,” a permanent initiative aimed at dismantling illegal music services. In 2024, another campaign, Operation Redirection, targeted eight illegal online music services that disseminated malware to users.
A year earlier, Brazilian authorities shut down FileWarez, which IFPI identified as the most popular illegal file-sharing site in the country, hosting a peak of 118,000 registered users, with 24,000 active monthly users.
Lucas focuses on the interaction between music and society. He specializes in how music influences and reflects cultures, analyzing the role of sound in social, political, and cultural events around the world.
