On 23 February 2026, EDPB Chair Anu Talus signed a Joint Statement on Artificial Intelligence-Generated Imagery and the Protection of Privacy on behalf of the EDPB. The statement, coordinated by the Global Privacy Assembly’s International Enforcement Cooperation Working Group, represents the united position of 61 authorities across the world. The move reflects the Board’s commitment to contributing to the global dialogue on data protection under the fourth pillar of its work programme 2026-2027.
The statement raises concerns about Artificial Intelligence systems that generate realistic images and videos depicting identifiable individuals without their knowledge or consent. It warns that recent advances, especially Artificial Intelligence image and video generation built into widely accessible social media platforms, have made it easier to create non-consensual intimate imagery, defamatory depictions, and other harmful content involving real people. Particular concern is directed at harms affecting children and other vulnerable groups, including cyber-bullying and exploitation.
The co-signatories say organisations developing and using Artificial Intelligence content generation systems must ensure those systems comply with applicable legal frameworks, including data protection and privacy rules. While legal requirements differ across jurisdictions, they highlight several common principles: implementing robust safeguards, ensuring meaningful transparency, providing effective and accessible mechanisms to protect individuals, and addressing specific risks to children.
The statement describes the harms linked to non-consensual intimate, defamatory, or otherwise harmful content as significant and in need of urgent regulatory attention. The participating authorities say they will work together to address this global risk, including by sharing information on their approaches. They also call on organisations to engage proactively with regulators, build in safeguards from the outset, and ensure technological progress does not come at the expense of privacy, dignity, safety, and other fundamental rights.
