A court in São Paulo has just drawn a hard line against digital manipulation in music. In a landmark decision under Operation Authentica, local authorities have ruled against Seguidores Marketing Digital, ordering the company to stop selling fake likes, followers, and plays on platforms like Spotify, YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. For the global recording industry and the integrity of online music this might be the biggest win yet.
Operation Authentica: A New Front in the Streaming Wars
This isn’t just about one shady company inflating numbers. It’s about an entire underground industry that thrives by distorting the online music ecosystem. The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), which represents the global recording industry, has been pushing back with its initiative, Operation Authentica.
With this São Paulo ruling, the IFPI says the legal system has finally caught up.
“This is a clear warning to those profiting from manipulating the online music environment,” said IFPI CEO Victoria Oakley. “Their actions mislead music fans and undermine legitimate artists.”
The Ruling: More Than a Slap on the Wrist
The court found Seguidores Marketing Digital guilty of misleading advertising, consumer fraud, and violating constitutional protections. The company must now:
- Cease all operations
- Pay damages
- Suspend its domain names
If it doesn’t comply, additional fines are on the table. Seguidores has already appealed the decision—but that won’t stop enforcement efforts from moving forward.
The legal charge was led by the São Paulo Public Attorney’s Office, specifically the Consumer Protection Unit and Cyber Gaeco, with backing from the IFPI Latin America and APDIF (Associação Protetora dos Direitos Intelectuais Fonográficos).
“This ruling adds the defense of consumer rights to cases where artificial and inorganic means are used to boost content online,” said Paulo Rosa, President of Pro-Música Brasil. “We applaud this decision and will continue to work closely with Brazilian authorities.”
What Streaming Fraud Actually Looks Like
Fake streams aren’t just harmless vanity metrics they’re a business. One recent example: In March 2025, Brazilian authorities arrested a man accused of uploading more than 400 fake tracks to Spotify, earning over 28 million plays and raking in around $65,000. Investigators say he even stole 36 tracks from local composers via WhatsApp promo groups.
Streaming fraud hurts real artists, distorts royalty payments, and breaks the public’s trust in what’s trending.
JustAnotherPanel and the Bigger Global Network
This ruling is part of a larger crackdown on streaming fraud in Brazil. Operation Authentica is also targeting JustAnotherPanel, a global tech infrastructure provider that enables a web of resellers pushing fake streams.
According to the IFPI, authorities have:
- Blocked JustAnotherPanel in Brazil
- Disrupted 43 illegal local services
- Impacted 1,131 resellers outside the country
Brazil is rapidly becoming the global frontline in the fight against streaming fraud.
Operation 404 and Other Enforcement Campaigns
This isn’t Brazil’s first rodeo. Authorities have launched several high-profile initiatives in recent years:
- In 2020, 14 websites involved in stream manipulation were shut down
- In 2021, another 10 services were dismantled
- In 2023, law enforcement took down FileWarez, Brazil’s largest illicit file-sharing site
- In 2024, Operation Redirect took down 8 illegal services distributing malware through music
Then there’s Operation 404 an ongoing effort to remove copyright-infringing sites across Brazil and Paraguay. Backed by IFPI, Pro-Música, and supported by the Office of the US Trade Representative, this initiative has already carried out seven waves of shutdowns, targeting everything from piracy sites to stream-ripping apps.
Why This Ruling Matters Globally
Streaming platforms are now the dominant force in music distribution. But their value depends on trust: trust that the numbers are real, that the popularity is organic, that the game isn’t rigged.
Brazil’s court ruling doesn’t just serve local interests. It sends a clear international message: if you’re building your business on fake streams, your days might be numbered.
It’s a turning point. The next question is whether other countries will follow Brazil’s lead or whether streaming fraud will simply shift to new digital hiding places.
