Elton John Slams UK Government Over Copyright Law Changes

British music icon Elton John has launched a scathing attack on the UK government over proposed copyright law changes, calling ministers “absolute losers” and accusing them of betraying young artists by prioritizing Big Tech interests.

In a passionate interview aired Sunday on BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, the 78-year-old pop legend condemned the plans as “criminal” and a form of “high-scale theft.”

The controversy centers around the government’s proposed Data (Use and Access) Bill, which is currently moving through Parliament. Under the current version of the bill, tech firms could use creators’ content—including music—without first obtaining explicit permission, unless the rights holders opt out.

This opt-out model has sparked outrage among the artistic community, who argue that it erodes fundamental copyright protections and leaves creatives powerless in the face of powerful tech giants.

“I feel incredibly betrayed,” Elton John said. “These changes will rob young people of their legacy and their income. They don’t have the money to fight big tech. This is criminal.”

While John clarified that he is not opposed to artificial intelligence (AI) as a technology, he emphasized that clear ethical boundaries must be established—especially when it comes to artistic and creative works. “When it comes to creativity, there has to be a line,” he said.

The House of Lords had previously backed an amendment to the bill that would require rights holders to give permission before their work could be used and to be informed when and how their content was accessed.

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But that safeguard was voted down by MPs in the House of Commons, where Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour government holds a commanding majority.

“If these changes go through, the government is committing theft—thievery on a high scale,” John warned. He didn’t hold back in criticizing key government figures, referring to Technology Secretary Peter Kyle as “a bit of a moron” and urging Prime Minister Starmer to “wise up” and “see sense.”

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John is not alone in his outrage. Earlier this year, more than 1,000 UK musicians—including Kate Bush, Annie Lennox, and Damon Albarn—released a silent protest album opposing the copyright reforms, calling them a gateway to legalized music theft.

In a powerful open letter published in The Times, cultural giants such as Paul McCartney, Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa, Sting, and Nobel Prize-winning author Kazuo Ishiguro echoed John’s concerns, branding the proposal a “wholesale giveaway to Silicon Valley.”

Despite mounting opposition, the UK government has defended the bill. A spokesperson from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology said the legislation aims to “unlock the secure and effective use of data for the public interest,” projecting that it could boost the economy by £10 billion over the next decade.

For Elton John and the creative community, however, that promise rings hollow. “They have no right to sell us down the river,” John declared, voicing a sentiment that continues to gain traction among musicians, writers, and artists across the UK.

As the bill advances, the fight for the future of intellectual property in the age of AI is heating up—and artists like Elton John are making it clear that they won’t go quietly.