AI | EDPB on AI-generated imagery and protection of privacy

On 23 February 2026, the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) signed the Global Privacy Assembly’s (GPA) statement on AI-generated imagery and the protection of privacy (Statement). The GPA is a global forum bringing together 61 data protection authorities worldwide.

In the Statement, the signatories express concerns about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) systems to generate realistic images and videos depicting identifiable individuals. While acknowledging the potential benefits of such technologies, the Statement highlights the risks associated with their use, particularly where content is created without the data subject’s consent, potentially leading to harms such as cyberbullying and exploitation, especially affecting children and other vulnerable groups.

Although legal requirements may vary across jurisdictions, the Statement identifies a set of core principles that should guide organisations developing and deploying AI content generation systems. These include the implementation of robust safeguards, ensuring meaningful transparency, providing effective and accessible mechanisms to protect individuals, and addressing specific risks to children.

Newsletter n. 116 – March 2026