Universal Music Group (UMG) has announced its decision to pull its song catalog from TikTok by January 31, citing failed negotiations over a new licensing deal with the popular social video platform. In an open letter titled “Why we must call time out on TikTok,” UMG expressed concerns over fair compensation for artists and songwriters, the impact of AI on music creation, and online safety.
UMG highlighted TikTok’s proposed payment rates for artists and songwriters as significantly lower than those offered by other major social platforms. Additionally, the company criticized TikTok for allowing AI-generated recordings to flood the platform and potentially dilute royalties for human artists.
The move, coming just days before the 2024 Grammy Awards, will affect TikTok users who rely on top-tier talent’s music for their videos. With songs from artists like Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, and Drake set to disappear, users may also find music removed from older videos, signaling a significant shift in the TikTok content landscape.
