Myspace loses 'over 50 million songs' from website after server migration project goes wrong

Myspace has reportedly lost more than 50 million songs after a server migration project went awry.

The once-popular social networking site was used as a platform for bands to share their music, and was behind the discovery and success of artists like Arctic Monkeys, Lily Allen, Kate Nash, Adele and Bring Me the Horizon.

However, last year fans noticed the music links on the site had stopped working. Despite an initial promise to solve the issue, Myspace has now issued a statement on its website saying a backlog of files has been lost.

"As a result of a server migration project, any photos, videos, and audio files you uploaded more than three years ago may no longer be available on or from Myspace," the statement says.

"We apologise for the inconvenience and suggest that you retain your back-up copies. If you would like more information, please contact our Data Protection Officer, Dr Jana Jentzsch at DPO@myspace.com."

Andy Baio, an American blogger and interner entrepreneur, estimated that this meant over 50 million songs by 14 million artists – uploaded in the site's first 12 years – had been lost.

"I'm deeply sceptical this was an accident," he tweeted. "Flagrant incompetence may be bad PR, but it still sounds better than 'we can't be bothered with the effort and cost of migrating and hosting 50m old MP3s'."

The Independent ​has reached out to Myspace for additional comment.