Watermarking AI-generated deepfakes and making digital platforms accountable by mandating user identity via certified systems like SPID. This is the aim of the bill “Provisions on the Protection of Personal Identity and the Integrity of Images Against Unauthorized Digital Reproductions and on Combating the Dissemination of Illegal Content on the Internet", presented in both the Chamber and Senate by the Noi Moderati party. The bill stems from the rapid development of deepfakes, hyper-realistic digital content generated by artificial intelligence, and is driven by recent news stories, most notably the “Mia Moglie” online group". These tools, if used without consent, pose serious risks to reputation, privacy, and security, especially for women and minors, who are frequently victims of non-consensual pornography, defamation, or scams, as emphasized at the press conference presenting the proposal. Currently, Italian law lacks particular laws and relies on general provisions (privacy, defamation, and copyright). The idea attempts to close the regulatory gap in accordance with the most recent European directives (Digital Services Act and AI Act). As previously mentioned, the text includes the mandatory marking of AI-generated deepfakes, obligations for digital platform operators, such as user identification via SPID/CIE, reporting and rapid removal systems, 12-month log retention, appointment of a content monitoring officer, and cooperation with judicial authorities, and supervisory duties assigned to AGCOM and the Italian Data Protection Authority. The proposal calls for fines of up to €1 million and the closure of non-compliant platforms, as well as prison sentences of 1–5 years or fines from 10,000 to 100,000 euros, increased if the generated or shared content is sexual or involves minors/vulnerable individuals.
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