bandcamp
17:51 Wednesday, 14 January 2026
Bandcamp has officially taken a firm stance against generative AI, announcing a new policy that bans music and audio created wholly or substantially by artificial intelligence from its platform.
In a statement outlining the decision, Bandcamp reaffirmed its long-standing mission to support artists through direct fan connection, positioning the move as a defense of music’s human and cultural roots. "Music is much more than a product to be consumed," the company said, describing it as part of a human dialogue that predates written language.
The policy explicitly prohibits uploads that rely heavily on generative AI tools, as well as any use of AI to impersonate other artists or musical styles, reinforcing existing rules around intellectual property and impersonation. Bandcamp also confirmed it reserves the right to remove music suspected of being AI-generated, even without definitive proof, and encouraged users to report content that appears to violate the guidelines.
"Musicians are more than mere producers of sound," Bandcamp stated. "They are vital members of our communities, our culture, and our social fabric." The platform emphasized that its goal is to ensure artists can continue to make music — and earn from it — while giving fans confidence that the work they’re supporting is authentically human-made.
The announcement arrives amid ongoing debates across the music industry over the role of AI in creativity, authorship, and labor. While some platforms and labels have explored AI-assisted tools, Bandcamp’s position is one of the clearest rejections of generative AI to date from a major music marketplace.
By formalizing the ban, Bandcamp says it is "putting human creativity first," while acknowledging that its policies may evolve as AI technology continues to develop. For now, the message is unmistakable: Bandcamp remains a space for human-made music, rooted in community, culture, and direct artist support.
