Members of the European Parliament have supported proposals to ban artificial intelligence applications that generate non-consensual explicit images, as part of ongoing updates to the European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Act.
Lawmakers endorsed measures targeting so-called “nudification” tools, which use AI to alter images of real people to make them appear undressed. The proposal would classify such systems as prohibited uses under EU rules, placing them alongside other banned AI practices.
The move follows increased scrutiny of AI-generated deepfake content, particularly after incidents involving tools capable of producing sexualised images without consent. European officials have linked the proposal to concerns about the misuse of generative AI systems and the spread of manipulated content online.
Committees within the Parliament backed the inclusion of the ban in amendments to the AI Act, which is the EU’s regulatory framework governing artificial intelligence technologies. The legislation, which entered into force in 2024, is being implemented in stages and continues to be updated to address new risks linked to generative AI.
The proposal is part of a broader effort to define which AI systems present unacceptable risks. Under the AI Act, applications that threaten safety or fundamental rights can be restricted or prohibited entirely. Lawmakers are seeking to explicitly include AI tools that generate non-consensual explicit imagery within that category.
The European Parliament’s position will form part of negotiations with EU member states before any final rules are adopted. Legislative changes require agreement between the Parliament and the Council of the European Union before entering into force.
Recent votes also addressed the timing of other AI regulations. Lawmakers supported delaying certain compliance deadlines for high-risk AI systems, citing the need for additional technical standards and guidance.
The proposed ban reflects ongoing regulatory efforts in the EU to address risks associated with generative AI, particularly in cases involving manipulated or synthetic media.