By MUBUTV Staff
Did you know some sneaky people are trying to steal music streams…and even your money? Today, let’s pull back the curtain on streaming fraud and what we all can do to fight back.
If you’re an artist, manager, or just love music, this post is for you! We’re following along with a must-listen MUBUTV Music Business Insider Podcast conversation featuring streaming-fraud expert and CEO of Symphonic Distribution Jorge Brea, along with hosts Ritch Esra and Eric Knight. Ready? Let’s tune in.
Why Streaming Fraud is Everyone’s Problem
Streaming fraud isn’t just a tech problem. It’s messing with your wallet. People set up bots and even use thousands of phones at once to play songs over and over. They’re basically tricking platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and others into thinking songs are more popular than they really are. The worst part? This fake play-count takes money away from real artists.
But wait—there’s more! Some baddies rearrange songs or add sneaky clips from TV shows to fool platforms into missing the real owner. Eric Knight and Ritch Esra want everyone to know: fraud isn’t just an “industry” thing. If you want to make a living from music, this is huge for you.
AI: Double-Edged Sword (Cool & Kinda Scary)
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is like that super-smart friend you have. Sometimes helpful, sometimes a little bit too powerful. According to Jorge Brea, AI is both helping and hurting in the fight against fraud.
- The Good: AI can spot fishy data patterns and catch fraud faster than any human ever could.
- The Scary: Fraudsters ALSO use AI to make even sneakier bots and fake streams.
We’re headed into wild times. With music getting easier to make and share, soon, none of us will know what’s real and what’s fake! That’s why Eric Knight says AI is both awesome…and alarming.
Know Your Customer = Know the Bad Guys
Here’s where things get geeky. Jorge Brea says one of their best weapons is something called Know Your Customer (KYC) methods. Before someone can upload music or get paid, they have to prove who they are (like showing an ID).
Guess what? Some fraudsters are SO lazy. They even forget to change their photo backgrounds when making fake accounts! But when companies use ID checks and audio fingerprints, they can block the same cheater from coming back again and again. Jorge Brea says this made fraud on his platform drop by 50%.
What Artists & Labels Can Actually DO
Okay, so what’s a real musician supposed to do? Don’t freak out—there’s hope! Here’s what Jorge Brea recommends:
- Beware of companies that promise X number of streams for money. That smells fishy!
- Ask promoters and playlist companies lots of questions. The good ones want to be clear and transparent.
- Look for partners who also use ID checks or fraud protection.
- If you get fake streams or your song appears where it shouldn’t—report it!
The music business has gotten a lot more “Do It Yourself”—which is awesome, but it means you gotta be more educated, too.
Teamwork Beats Cheaters
One of the coolest things happening is that big and small music companies are teaming up—even competitors! There are special alliances and tools where they can anonymously share information about bad actors. That way, once a fraudster is found, they’re blocked all over, not just at one place.
And remember: nobody’s perfect. But if everyone keeps getting smarter, the cheaters will have a much harder time.
KEY TAKEAWAYS: How to Outsmart Streaming Fraud
- Spotting & stopping fraud is now every artist’s job.
- AI is both a hero and a villain in the fraud fight.
- Know Your Customer rules help kick out fraudsters.
- Ask loads of questions about any playlist or promotion company!
- The music industry is starting to band together to stop bots.
BEST MOMENTS
- “The more successful you are, the more you’re at risk,” Ritch Esra warns.
- Jorge Brea: “We’re fingerprinting and scanning audio… Everything before a song goes out is done to ensure fraud doesn’t occur.”
- “Experience custom sessions designed to enhance your music career,” encourages Eric Knight, because education is your greatest protection.
RESOURCE LINKS
- MUBUTV Music Business Insider Podcast
- Symphonic Distribution
- Music Fights Fraud Alliance
- Learn How to Protect Your Music
ABOUT THE GUEST
Jorge Brea is CEO of Symphonic Distribution, and a top voice in stopping streaming fraud. He knows how the scammers work—and how real artists can win.
Ready to protect your career, get what you earn, and grow smart? Hit up the full episode of the MUBUTV Music Business Insider Podcast and become an insider.