TIDAL Introduces AI Policy, Bans Fully AI-Generated Tracks From Generating Royalties
- Michele
- 01 July 2026, Wednesday
TIDAL has announced that starting July 15, it will begin to label AI-generated music in its app and block fully AI-generated tracks from generating royalties.
TIDAL Introduces New Rules Around AI-Generated Music
For a long time, TIDAL didn't reveal much about where it stood on AI-generated music. During that time, many other streaming platforms had already clarified their stance. Deezer, for example, was the first platform to label fully AI-generated tracks as such and prevent them from earning royalties, while platforms like Qobuz have recently shared which measures they're taking to protect artists and listeners.
Now, TIDAL has finally announced its own approach to AI-generated music. The reasons, the platform says, are not because it opposes AI or technological advancements in general but rather because their inboxes "are inundated with music that is created completely AI-generated and impersonating existing artists purely for financial gain."
“We are committed to protecting and rewarding organic creativity to avoid compromising an artist’s ability to connect with and build their fandom from Tidal subscribers. Many have told us they do not want to be exposed to (...) wholly AI-generated music,” the platform continues in a blog post.
What Does TIDAL's AI Policy Include?
So, what does the AI policy look like in practice? First of all, TIDAL will label all fully AI-generated music as such in the app. Listeners will see an AI badge next to music the platform detects as wholly AI-generated.
Moreover, it will remove any AI-generated releases that were created to impersonate an artist or group, or that facilitate fraudulent activity. Using automated detection tools, the platform says it will remove such releases as soon as they are identified.
Finally, music that is 100% AI-generated will not generate royalties, and AI-generated uploads will not be eligible for direct-to-fan sales. The platform also says it will continue updating its AI policy as the technology evolves.
Users Respond Positively, But Questions Remain
The announcement has already received positive feedback from many users. On Reddit, one person wrote: "Big W for Tidal. So sick of seeing AI music slop everywhere, while real musicians barely are able to get by." This sentiment is shared by many across the thread.
However, not everyone is convinced the policy goes far enough. One user, who generally welcomed the decision, said they hope TIDAL eventually introduces an option to completely hide AI-generated music.
Another person pointed to what they see as a potential loophole in the policy: "The terms such as 'wholly' and '100% AI-generated' leave room for loop-holes. What about 95% AI-generated? What if you make an AI song and layer it with you playing the triangle in the background? Technically that track can be monetised and won't have the label."
It's a fair question, and one that sits at the heart of many discussions around AI music today: where should platforms draw the line between AI-assisted and fully AI-generated music, and how do they avoid bad actors from misusing such loopholes?
For now, TIDAL's policy is mainly focused on protecting artists from impersonation and preventing fully AI-generated music from being monetized, meaning that these larger questions likely won't be addressed anytime soon. Nevertheless, much of the feedback welcomes stronger protections for artists rather than broader acceptance of AI-generated releases.
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Michele is a Berlin-based writer passionate about music in its many forms, from soulful house, groovy techno, and breaky jungle/drum & bass to alternative rock, dark wave, and beyond. With experience in production, journalism, and DJing, they engage with the culture of sound from multiple perspectives. Their current topics of interest include club culture, music discovery & curation, dance, and the ways music affects perception & feeling. Michele writes in English.
