In a surprising turn of events, TikTok, the globally popular short-video platform, has removed music by renowned artists including Taylor Swift and The Weeknd. This decision comes in the wake of a licensing disagreement with Universal Music Group (UMG), the record label representing these artists.

The licensing agreement between TikTok and UMG expired recently, and the two parties could not reach a consensus on a new deal. UMG accused TikTok of offering to pay a “fraction” of the rate that other social media platforms pay for access to its songs. In response, TikTok accused UMG of presenting a “false narrative and rhetoric”.

As a result of this dispute, all videos featuring UMG music will be muted, and new videos will not be able to use these tracks. This has led to a significant reduction in the music available on the official pages of artists such as Ariana Grande and Katy Perry.

This incident underscores the ongoing tension between social media platforms and music companies over royalty payments. These platforms have long been criticized for the meager amounts they pay for music rights. This case has escalated into a public disagreement, with both parties unable to agree on a deal before the January 31 deadline.

UMG expressed concerns about getting fair compensation for AI-generated songs made to sound like real artists. It also criticized TikTok’s content moderation, accusing it of failing to adequately address hate speech, bigotry, bullying, and harassment on the platform.

TikTok, on the other hand, accused UMG of prioritizing greed over the interests of its artists and songwriters. It argued that UMG was walking away from a platform that serves as a free promotional and discovery vehicle for its talent.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the complex dynamics between social media platforms and music companies. It highlights the need for fair and transparent licensing agreements that serve the interests of all parties involved.