Universal And Tiktok Sign Deal Allowing Artists Back On Video Platform

Tik Tok and Universal Music Group have reached a deal that will allow songs and artists from its labels, including Olivia Rodrigo and Drake, to return to the video-sharing app.

- Dan Milmo

The world's largest music company began pulling content from TikTokin February because of issues including artist compensation and the use of artificial intelligence-generated music on the platform.

In a joint statement yesterday, the companies said they were working "expeditiously" to return music by UMG's artists to TikTok. The deal pledges to tackle concerns about generative AI technology that produces highly convincing audio, image and text from simple handtyped prompts with TikTok saying it would work with Universal to remove unauthorised Al-made content.

"TikTok and UMG will work together to ensure AI development across the music industry will protect human artistry and the economics that flow to those artists and songwriters," the companies said.