This newsletter is written and curated by Robert Caple at Stop Content Theft.

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TL;DR

• YouTube now detect celebrity ‘deepfake’ content

• YouTube requires creators to confirm whether their content is for children

• Deezer receive 75,000 AI-generated tracks every day

• VISA and TikTok release new ‘Creator Card’

YouTube expands its AI likeness detection technology to celebrities

YouTube are expanding their “likeness detection” technology to identify AI-generated content, such as deepfakes – like their Content ID system but for faces. The tech was released to YouTube creators last year and YouTube have been working with agencies such as CAA, UTA, and WME to expand the service to politicians, government officials, and journalists in Spring 2026. Parody and satire will not be removed, though.

YouTube’s COPPA deadline hits: what the audience-setting rules really mean

On April 22nd 2026, YouTube published a formal FAQ confirming the legal obligation for all creators to classify their content as designed for children or not, as part of the 2019 FTC settlement reached with Google over COPPA violations. This is an update of YouTube’s audience classification tool and YouTube have confirmed that machine learning will also be used to correct categorisation errors, overriding the creator’s categorisation.

YouTube ads surface in subscriptions feed as side-by-side ads hit more live content

YouTube users have noticed the arrival of side-by-side ads on live streams, a feature announced last year. The ad will mute the stream during “ad breaks” so you hear the audio from the ad instead of the stream until the ad ends. Users have also noticed ads creeping into their subscriptions feed, though marked as ‘Sponsored’. This marks a notable shift as YouTube attempts to increase revenue while balancing platform usability.

75,000 AI-generated tracks now flood Deezer daily

Deezer have revealed that nearly 75,000 AI-tracks are being uploaded to their platform everyday, representing roughly 44% of the daily uploads they receive, amounting to millions of AI-generated tracks per month. They are proactively tagging AI-generated music with their patent-pending AI-music detection tool, and using it to remove AI-gen music from its recommendations and editorial playlists.

Visa And TikTok Launch New ‘Creator Card’

Visa and TikTok have launched the UK’s first ‘Creator Card’ exclusively for TikTok LIVE creators. It is intended to enable creators to access and spend their LIVE earnings faster while separating their business and personal finances. During TikTok LIVE sessions, creators receive virtual gifts from viewers which can then be converted into TikTok’s digital ‘diamonds’ before being exchanged for real income.

All the latest platform policy updates

A useful update from InfluenceFlow on the latest changes to platform policies, including YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Discord, and Reddit, alongside newer platforms like Bluesky, BeReal, and Threads.

If you’re dealing with content theft, contact Stop Content Theft today.

This newsletter is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

Written and produced by a human. All opinions are my own.