They check the ID, compare the photo, make sure there are no issues, maybe ask a few questions, and if there are any red flags, we ask for alternative methods before turning someone away. This allows us to do two things:
It allows us to identify scammers at the root and flag them so they can’t use our platform again.
This type of verification is a game-changer for all distributors because we know that most fraudulent accounts come from the same entities and in many of the same locations. With these steps, we can identify multiple accounts that are linked to the same verification information, allowing us to ban them all at once and prevent bad actors from being verified again in the future.
Symphonic is committed to its customers, to clean data, and to a better music industry, and the best part is that this doesn't change our mission. Any "real" person can still upload their music phone numbers in the philippines and reach the world with their message. It takes a couple of steps, but it makes sure your songs don't get caught competing with counterfeits and frauds.
“Causing friction for current or potential users is frowned upon…”
For many other distributors and other players in the DIY/indie sector, causing friction for current or potential users is frowned upon – they believe it will scare away businesses and reduce their revenue. But as long as it is easy to bypass streaming service access points, fraud will continue, and it will not be easier to deal with. It is more expensive to clean up bad actors than to keep the scene clean in the first place. In fact, we have found that this approach has been almost universally accepted by Symphonic users because it makes them feel safer with us. We need to establish these kinds of identification thresholds to foster a better industry.
In addition to identity verification, distributors have many other means of detecting and preventing fraud, such as using data to identify suspicious patterns, being proactive in maintaining data quality, working with DSPs to gather all the information necessary to identify fraud on their end, communicating and educating artists, and so on. Unfortunately, as long as there is a way to make money, someone will try to find new ways to steal it. However, one of the most important things you can do is use new businesses to review and educate yourself on existing ones. There is no better place to learn from than your own customers.