By late September 2026, Sony had reportedly asked digital platforms to remove more than 260,000 AI-generated tracks said to impersonate artists in its catalog. That total counts removal requests, not confirmed takedowns.
What the reported requests cover
The tracks were described as imitations of artists in Sony’s catalog, including Harry Styles, Adele, Britney Spears, Queen and Michael Jackson. The reported total does not break down requests by artist.
Sony’s reported request count had exceeded 135,000 by late March 2026. That earlier threshold gives a dated point of comparison for the late-September total.
Sony’s stated approach to AI and music
Sony Music Group’s May 16, 2024 declaration names Sony Music Entertainment and Sony Music Publishing. It reserves their right to prohibit text and data mining, scraping and similar uses of covered content—including for AI training, development or commercialization—unless specifically authorized, subject to the declaration’s terms and applicable law.
On July 29, 2026, Sony joined ten other music companies in proposing conditions for AI-developed recordings to qualify for official charts. The proposed criteria include using an authorized and lawful AI service, substantial human contribution, compliance with applicable law and service terms, appropriate consumer disclosures, and no concerns about stream or chart manipulation.
