The music industry is a diverse, vibrant and constantly evolving, presenting opportunities for millions across the world to realise their dreams. It should be a place where people can hope to reach for the stars and actually achieve their most deep seated aspirations. For this reason, we need to take down barriers that prevent new artists from making their mark, or any obstacles that diminish their efforts.

One of these, is deceiving music charts across the world. For years, dedicated music lovers have been watching Korean boy group BTS' fanbase, "ARMY" manipulate the Billboard Hot 100 and countless charts and streaming services across the world, to boost their 'idols' to the top, making other (newer) artists regularly miss out and fail to make an impact.

There is strong evidence present that BTS' ARMY have made use of VPNs (Virtual Private Networks), organised mass buying parties, and set up numerous donation drives to raise funds and buy hundreds of copies of BTS' latest music in multiple countries, mostly the United States.

BTS Chart accounts on Twitter regularly tweet information on how to stream music in a manner that cheats and exploits streaming platforms - such as YouTube - while overriding their rules. In the past, there have been instances of BTS fan groups distributing multiple Spotify accounts to each of their members, in an effort to exponentiate streams. 

We are tired of the fact that BTS' fans are continuously able to manipulate the industry in this manner.

The result is not only music charts that are essentially rigged and inaccurate, but also that more deserving artists that are widely popular with the general public are unable to obtain the same level of success and recognition.

We demand a crackdown on fake and inauthentic streams, mass buying, and more stringent algorithms that efficiently detect the use of illicit methods to manoeuvre and falsify chart success.

We demand an end to the BTS ARMY's chart manipulation.