Photo Credit: Bridgit Mendler by Chris Ptacek / CC by 2.0
Bridgit Mendler says a surprise EP attributed to her on Spotify and Apple Music isn’t her, raising questions about streaming platforms’ efforts to curb AI impersonators.
Last week, fans of former Disney Channel star Bridgit Mendler were thrilled to see she had released a new EP titled “Once Again…” on Spotify and Apple Music. But Mendler confirmed on social media that the release wasn’t her, raising concerns about streamers’ efforts to prevent AI impersonation.
“Sorry to disappoint everyone, the Spotify release wasn’t me!” wrote Mendler on the former Twitter on Wednesday. “When it is, trust me, you’ll know.”
Spotify confirmed that the fake EP had been removed from the platform.
“Protecting artists’ identities is a top priority for us, and we continue to invest heavily in detection and prevention,” said a Spotify spokesperson. “Spotify is the only streaming service to offer Artist Profile Protection, currently available in Beta, which lets artists opt in to review and approve or decline incoming releases before they go live on their profile.”
That implies that Mendler had not opted in to Spotify’s Artist Profile Protection, making her an easy target for impersonation. The former “Wizards of Waverly Place” star hasn’t released new music since her four-track EP “Nemesis” in 2016, followed by a single, “Driving,” in 2017.
In fact, Mendler stepped away from the entertainment industry to focus on her college education and pursue a career in tech. Now, she’s the co-founder and CEO of Northwood Space, an aerospace communications startup launched in 2023.
Given Mendler’s pivot away from music, it seems she was ripe for AI impersonation. Since she had presumably not opted into Spotify’s beta service to protect her profile and was not focused on releasing new music, her presence was easier to mimic than someone actively involved and with a massive following like Taylor Swift or Ariana Grande.
Whether Spotify’s efforts to protect artists with its Artist Profile Protection will ultimately make a difference in curbing bad actors remains to be seen, since currently artists must opt into the service. Once the feature enjoys a wider rollout—and artists are not required to opt in—such functionality could make a massive difference. Hopefully, Spotify has plans to expand the release so that artists like Mendler, who aren’t actively engaging with their streaming presence, can rest easy knowing they won’t be the target of AI deepfakes.