Spain plans to criminalise non-consensual AI-generated sexual imagery

Spain's leftist government has proposed a new law to criminalise the production of AI-generated sexual images without consent. This follows growing concerns about the misuse of artificial intelligence, especially in creating "deepfakes." Deepfakes are realistic fake images and videos that can be harmful. A 2019 study found that about 96% of these deepfake videos are non-consensual pornography, often featuring women. Justice Minister Felix Bolanos emphasized that the government wants to treat serious cases of deepfake abuse as crimes against moral integrity. The draft bill aims to protect children and teenagers from the dangers of digital technology. It addresses recent incidents in Spain where fake nude images of underage girls were created using AI, sometimes leading to blackmail attempts. In addition to the criminalisation of deepfakes, the bill will also require smartphone and tablet makers to provide free parental controls that are automatically turned on. Furthermore, online influencers will need to implement age verification systems for their followers.