Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament are calling for the adoption of regulations to ban harmful and unauthorized deepfakes to protect individuals' digital identities. This proposal emphasizes the need for proactive measures from platforms and artificial intelligence providers instead of waiting for victims' complaints.
Legal Challenges and the Need for Coordination
This effort is taking place amid extensive discussions in Europe about controlling an individual's digital identity, as artificial intelligence has made it easier to produce deepfakes. For example, Denmark has proposed a plan this month to amend its copyright law to prohibit the sharing of digital copies without individuals' consent. Additionally, Giorgia Meloni, the Prime Minister of Italy, has taken steps to trademark her voice to prevent unauthorized use.
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Concerns About National Laws
Despite increased public attention and legal activities, conflicting laws in different countries can hinder efforts to prevent the spread of deepfakes and enforce effective regulations. Tiemo Wölken, a Member of the European Parliament from Germany, has pointed out that the current trend leads to legal confusion that can be exploited by abusers.
Recent reports indicate that 50 Members of the European Parliament have been targeted by sexual deepfakes, highlighting the serious risks of this technology. Even if "nudification" programs fall under the updated AI law, the socialists' new efforts reflect increased momentum in Brussels to address this issue.
The socialists' proposal does not specify a particular mechanism for enforcing the ban, but some believe that following Denmark's approach to copyright law could be the most effective solution. However, legal experts warn that creating new copyright-style protections for individuals' digital identities may lead to unintended consequences.
In March, the European Parliament asked the Commission to consider actions to combat unauthorized digital copies. Kristel Schaldemose, a Member of Parliament from Denmark, called for the Commission to assess whether common EU laws could benefit national initiatives.
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