Musician charged with using bots to boost streaming revenue

The case against Michael Smith highlights a growing concern in the music industry regarding the use of AI and bots to generate revenue fraudulently. Given the potential crackdown by platforms like Spotify, which has already begun modifying its royalty payment structures to prevent artificial inflation, there could be a significant impact on platforms associated with streaming music in the near term. Investors may want to redirect attention toward music streaming services that are taking proactive measures to secure their revenue and protect artists' rights, such as Spotify, rather than those that may be less compliant or face regulatory scrutiny. The focus on artist rights and royalties could translate to increased investor confidence in companies that uphold transparency and integrity in their operations.