DistroKid has been quietly taking down songs in response to UMG lawsuit

<figure> <img alt="DistroKid Logo on blue background." data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/10/distrokid_logo_og_image.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption> </figcaption> </figure> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Artists are <a href="https://x.com/shinobistalin/status/2108324834664907207?s=20">taking</a> to <a href="https://www.threads.com/@stilldono/post/DeRcOJoIB0A">social media</a> to <a href="https://x.com/poetofbabylon/status/2108210502862262499?s=20">complain</a> that DistroKid has <a href="https://youtu.be/Jy_IZ9afe40">unceremoniously removed</a> their work without notice. Now DistroKid has confirmed to <em>The Verge</em> that the takedowns are a direct response to claims made by UMG. The label filed a <a href="https://www.theverge.com/entertainment/995842/umg-is-suing-distrokid-for-alleged-deceptive-trade-practices-and-blatant-copyright-infringement">lawsuit</a> in September claiming that DistroKid has created an "AI-slop pipeline." Artists are saying that their non-AI works are being caught up in the purge, however.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Musician and self-described "Video Game boy" <a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/411VUMJLq5DVLoU7OaBwk7?si=_8km8XUZTius5dQ0hvuNeg">McGwire</a> reported that six of his songs had been removed from streaming. As has been the case with others, McGwire says that there was no communication from DistroKid before or after the removals, a …</p> <p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/entertainment/1009309/distrokid-take-down-songs-umg-lawsuit">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>