Fraudulent streaming has been one of the biggest challenges in the digital music industry for years. Manipulated stream counts distort charts, influence playlists, and shift revenue to the detriment of honest artists. Apple Music is now responding with a significant tightening of its measures. The platform has doubled existing penalties for proven streaming fraud, underscoring its commitment to consistently enforcing quality and fairness.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Oliver Schusser, who is responsible for Apple Music, Apple TV, and other services at Apple, explained in detail how Apple is combating manipulated streams. It became clear that this is not a one-off measure, but rather a long-term strategy. Apple views streaming fraud as a structural problem within the industry and is increasingly relying on financial penalties and technical control mechanisms to keep the system clean.
Forms of streaming fraud
The most well-known example of streaming fraud is the use of automated bot networks. Artists or labels artificially play songs on a continuous loop to generate higher royalties. But this method is just one of several.
Over the years, further strategies have developed, such as targeted manipulation to improve chart positions or increase the likelihood of being included in editorial or algorithmic playlists. The goal is to artificially boost visibility and thus gain economic advantages.
Measures since 2022 and initial successes
In 2022, Apple introduced a tiered penalty scale for proven fraud on Apple Music for the first time. This initially stipulated a fee of at least 5 percent, capped at a maximum of 25 percent.
The measures proved effective. In 2023, Apple announced that it had reduced the manipulation of streaming data by 30 percent. This made it clear that the implemented controls and sanctions had had a tangible impact.
Doubling of penalty fees
However, since this month, the penalty fees have been significantly increased. The tiered scale now starts at 10 percent and reaches a maximum of 50 percent.
Specifically, this means that if streaming fraud amounting to, for example, $1 million is detected, the penalty can be up to $500,000. In addition, the fraudulent streams themselves will no longer be compensated. The affected revenue will be forfeited entirely.
This doubling significantly increases the financial risk of manipulation. Apple is deliberately relying on deterrence and a redistribution of wealth in favor of those who do not generate artificial downloads.
Billions of remote streams and industry-specific challenges
Oliver Schusser explained in an interview that Apple alone removed billions of manipulated streams from its service in 2025. Despite previous progress, the problem remains significant.
He described the fight against fraud as an ongoing "whack-a-mole" scenario. As soon as one method is shut down, new variations emerge. Schusser also suggested that many competitors face similar problems but may not have the same enforcement infrastructure.
He cited the intense pressure within the industry as the primary motivation for fraud. Artists and labels strive for high chart positions and prominent playlist spots. This competitive pressure leads to repeated attempts at manipulation.
Apple Music's quality standards
Schusser emphasized that it is essentially a zero-sum game. Higher penalties siphon money from those who cheat and reinvest it back into the system. Apple sees itself as a quality platform and wants to protect its integrity. The goal is to create an environment where honest artists benefit and manipulated reach offers no advantage.
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Apple Music tightens penalties against streaming fraud
With the doubling of penalty fees, Apple Music is significantly tightening its measures against fraudulent streaming. The new range of 10 to 50 percent, as well as the complete non-compensation of manipulated streams, considerably increases the financial pressure on potential fraudsters. At the same time, Apple points to measurable successes, including a 30 percent reduction in manipulation in 2023 and the removal of billions of manipulated streams in 2025. (Image: mariakray / DepositPhotos.com)
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