Written by: Haim Ravia, Dotan Hammer
Data protection authorities from across the globe have published a Joint Statement on AI-Generated Imagery and the Protection of Privacy, representing the united position of 61 authorities. The statement, coordinated by the Global Privacy Assembly’s International Enforcement Cooperation Working Group, was in response to serious concerns about artificial intelligence systems that generate realistic images and videos depicting identifiable individuals without their knowledge and consent.
While acknowledging that AI can bring meaningful benefits for individuals and society, the signatories express particular concern about recent developments, especially AI image and video generation integrated into widely accessible social media platforms. These tools have enabled the creation of non-consensual intimate imagery, defamatory depictions, and other harmful content featuring real individuals. The authorities are especially concerned about potential harms to children and other vulnerable groups, including cyber-bullying and exploitation.
The statement reminds all organizations developing and using AI content generation systems that such systems must comply with applicable data protection and privacy laws, and highlights that creating non-consensual intimate imagery may constitute a criminal offense in many jurisdictions.
The 61 co-signatories set out fundamental principles that should guide all organizations in this space: implementing robust safeguards to prevent misuse of personal information and the generation of non-consensual intimate or harmful imagery, particularly where children are depicted; ensuring meaningful transparency about AI system capabilities, safeguards, and acceptable uses; providing effective and accessible mechanisms for individuals to request the removal of harmful content involving their personal information; and addressing specific risks to children through enhanced safeguards and clear, age-appropriate information for children, parents, guardians, and educators.
Signatories include the European Data Protection Board, the European Data Protection Supervisor, the UK Information Commissioner’s Office, France’s CNIL, the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, the Israeli Privacy Protection Authority, and data protection authorities from dozens of additional jurisdictions spanning every continent.
Click here to read the Joint Statement on AI-Generated Imagery and the Protection of Privacy.
