Deezer plans toggle to filter out AI-generated music by year-end

What is new

Deezer, the music streaming platform, said on Tuesday that it is working on a new on/off toggle that lets users filter out AI-generated music uploaded to its platform [1][2]. According to TechCrunch, the feature is expected to be available before the end of the year [1]. The Verge reports that it is arriving by the end of the year [2]. These are plans. The sources do not say the toggle has been released.

When the toggle is switched on, AI-generated tracks, albums and related artists no longer appear in search results [1][2].

Deezer CEO Alexis Lanternier said in a statement that users have clearly asked for the ability to filter out AI music. He said the company is now giving everyone the option to remove this content completely and focus only on human creators, if they wish [1]. He added that the rise of AI music on the platform was one of the reasons for the toggle [1].

Deezer cited a survey from last year, which found that around 45% of its customers wanted a way to remove AI music from their feeds [1].

Deezer has also been publishing figures on AI uploads:

• Last year, when Deezer added AI-detection tooling, AI-generated tracks made up 10% of daily uploads, according to TechCrunch [1].
• In July, Deezer said more than 50% of daily uploads were AI-generated tracks, with an average of 90,000 tracks per day [1].

Limits, privacy and academic integrity

• The toggle is not yet available. Deezer expects it before the end of the year [1][2].
• The sources describe the filter as applying to search results. They do not say whether it affects other parts of the app.
• The sources give different dates for Deezer’s AI-detection tool. TechCrunch says it was added last year [1], while The Verge says it launched earlier this year [2].
• Other services have different policies. Bandcamp has completely banned AI tracks. Tidal has cut off monetisation for people uploading AI music. Spotify only tags AI tracks and artists more prominently [1].
• Variety reported in August that Apple Music was looking to label AI tracks by the end of the year [1].
• Independent tracking systems are also being used to identify AI music [1].
• The sources do not explain how Deezer’s detection works or how accurate it is. They do not discuss privacy, students or academic use.