Projects like https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VisualAudio https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VisualAudio and https://www-cdf.lbl.gov/~av/JAES-paper-LBNL.pdf https://ww

Projects like https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VisualAudio https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VisualAudio and https://www-cdf.lbl.gov/~av/JAES-paper-LBNL.pdf https://www-cdf.lbl.gov/~av/JAES-paper-LBNL.pdf are quite interesting in this context - while I doubt that any methods have been tested that assume a pane of glass between the camera and the phonograph, it seems quite plausible that there could be non-destructive ways to verify the actual audio data on a gold record plaque. Separately, though, it's a bit disappointing that the OP article didn't try to track down any sources other than the band members for comment on whether this was a wider phenomenon. I'd speculate that the time pressure for this type of article leaves very little time for investigative journalism, and it's a shame that's the case.