AI trilogue: Deal to ban AI nudifier tools by the end of 2026

In a late-night deal on the AI Omnibus, lawmakers agreed to ban AI-driven nudifier tools in Europe by the end of 2026. Rules for high risk AI will enter into force on the 2nd of December 2027.

What should have been the final negotiations last week, were postponed due to an attempt from Friedrich Merz to exempt German industry, risking to plummet people and industry into huge uncertainty. Although AI in machinery is now subject to sector-specific rules, additional attempts of German industry to further hijack the omnibus to deregulate were thwarted.

Greens/EFA IMCO negotiator MEP Kim van Sparrentak comments:

"By the end of this year, everyone, but especially women and girls will be safe from horrific nudifier apps being widely available on the EU market. It is bizarre that currently in just three clicks, you can now manipulate images of women and children to create fake nude photos or pornographic material. Today we put a clear end to this kind of violence against people and children.

“Industry exemptions will not prevail over our safety. AI should always be safe and not discriminate or pose a danger to fundamental rights. Also, it is crucial that industry has clarity in time without being plummeted into regulatory chaos. The Commission wanted simplification so badly, now we’ve given them more resources and they have to work for it. Everyone now has clarity on when and how the AI Act applies, standards need to be ready in time.”

Greens/EFA LIBE negotiator, Pirate Party MEP Markéta Gregorová, comments:

“We are proud that, during the trilogue negotiations, Greens/EFA managed to secure a clear ban on so-called ‘nudifiers’ in the final compromise of the AI Omnibus. These tools have no place in our societies. They are designed to digitally strip people without their consent, overwhelmingly targeting women and even children. This is not innovation, it is abuse enabled by technology. I do not see a single legitimate use case for such AI systems. On the contrary, they pose a direct threat to dignity, privacy and safety. With this agreement, we are sending a strong signal that AI in Europe must respect fundamental rights and cannot be used to exploit or harm people.”

More:

While the ban on nudifiers was endangered amidst all the industry lobby, the ban in the final deal is broad and clear. The deal also includes a ban on generation of child sexual abuse material. The Greens/EFA fought to keep the same protection for people and fast implementation. Key elements like the fundamental rights impact assessment, reporting of energy use and rules for AI models like ChatGPT were left protected in the omnibus process. And other loopholes were closed. The Commission was very unhappy with new fast deadlines to provide clarity for industry through guidelines and on the new rules for machinery