The internet age has brought a lot of fakeness. Fake news, fake views, fake followers, etc. The list could really go on and on. One Of Europe’s leading “fake streaming” sites has been forced to closed by the IFPI and BVMI. It is a slight win against a huge market where people can buy just about fake anything. The order was filed against Followerschmiede.de in the Berlin District Court.
It was a Germany-based site where people could pay for “fake views” on their Spotify account or YouTube and TikTok videos. These views would boost it’s popularity and depending on how much you paid, would depend on how many hits you got.
For instance, on one site you can purchase 20,000 Spotify plays for only $60. For an up-and-coming artist, this could prove very beneficial to their growth. YouTube seems to be a little hard to navigate, with views taking a few days, but you can purchase 10,000 views on a video for $40.
Although this might entice someone to immediately go purchase one of these packages, its not ethical and certainly not organic. Currently, there doesn’t seem to be any laws against it, but only time will tell. This is one of the first forms of legislation against these stream manipulation sites. IFPI Chief Executive, Frances Moore, released a statement about these sites:
“Those who create music must be remunerated fairly and accurately for their work and investment. Stream manipulation undermines this – whether by undermining the accuracy of charts, royalty payments to music creators or otherwise – and cannot be tolerated”
Code of Best Practice
Last year the music industry came together and issued a 21-point “Code Of Best Practice.” It aimed at preventing and detecting stream manipulation. The three major music labels, who have been racking up money as of lately, signed the code. As well as many other prominent labels. Will strict laws come into place banning “fake streaming?”
