Sony Music has removed over 75,000 AI-generated recordings imitating its artists, including Harry Styles, highlighting the growing threat of AI deepfakes in the music industry. The revelation was made in a submission to the UK government’s consultation on copyright reforms, which Sony warns could further harm legitimate artists and rights holders.

Music executives believe these takedowns represent only a fraction of AI-generated fakes circulating online, as identifying and removing them remains a manual and challenging process. The increasing availability of AI tools capable of creating realistic imitations has raised concerns that unauthorized replicas could undermine revenues for artists and labels.

Sony’s submission, seen by the Financial Times, states that AI-generated recordings on streaming platforms cause “direct commercial harm” to artists, especially those without major label support. A proposed UK policy would allow AI developers to train their models on copyrighted content, including music, films, and books, unless rights holders actively opt out—shifting the burden onto creators to defend their work.

The proposals have sparked backlash from musicians, filmmakers, and media organizations, who warn that such a system would be costly and difficult to manage. Sony argues that the existing framework—where AI developers license content—ensures fair compensation. The company warns that the changes could weaken licensing incentives and damage the UK’s music sector, one of the world’s largest exporters.

Describing the reforms as “rushed, unbalanced, and irreversible,” Sony insists that copyright is a fundamental right and urges the government to reconsider its approach.