The conflict between TikTok and Universal Music Group continues, and the ones who suffer are us users!

Recently, MixMag reported that TikTok has begun to blur the faces of artists collaborating with Universal Music Group (UMG). Specifically, MixMag said that some fans have reported to them, reporting that they started to notice the faces of artists like Billie Eilish, Adele, Megan Thee Stallion,… being blurred on TikTok clips. The list of “victims” is extended to include Taylor Swift and… The Beatles.

Besides, MixMag’s article is also “confusing” when sharing some experiences of Tiktok users who are not sure if they are real or joking to illustrate the article. For example, a TikToker shared with MixMag: “I think blurring videos is a new trend or something. I even posted my content with blurry images hoping it would go viral – but then I got a copyright strike because I was wearing glasses and TikTok thought I was Elton John.” Even more, the post The writer also said that TikTok users also created a viral dance to mark the artists’ faces being covered, even creating the #UMGone trend (combined from the words “UMG” and “gone”, roughly translated: ” UMG disappeared”).

Illustration for MixMag’s article.

However, the authenticity of MixMag’s article is still a mystery. MixMag’s article was published on April 1 – April Fools’ Day. According to direct observation from TikTok, the clips of the mentioned artists still display normal images, no one’s face is blurred as MixMag reported. In addition, the war between TikTok and UMG is receiving global media attention, every move is reported, but a “shocking” incident such as blurring the faces of major artists only appears on the news feed of the company. MixMag only. And of course there are no hashtags or dances either!