Universal Music Group (UMG) has initiated the removal of music catalogues belonging to artists under its label, including Taylor Swift, Drake, and Olivia Rodrigo, from TikTok.
This decision comes after failed negotiations to renew licensing agreements, as the previous arrangement expired on January 31st.
UMG contends that TikTok attempted to coerce the label into accepting an unfavorable deal that did not adequately address concerns related to fair compensation for artists and songwriters, safeguards against AI-generated music, and online safety measures.
The label aims to protect artists from issues such as “hate speech, bigotry, bullying, and harassment.”
In response, TikTok expressed disappointment, stating that it’s regrettable for UMG to walk away from a platform with over a billion users. The video platform accused the label of prioritizing its own financial interests over those of its artists and songwriters.
As a consequence, UMG-owned music featured in TikTok videos will now be muted. Users seeking to replace the removed tracks will need to choose alternative options from different music labels.
