The Milli Majlis (National Assembly) of Azerbaijan has approved a bill in its third reading imposing bans, fines, and criminal penalties for the illegal production and distribution of materials created using artificial intelligence (AI).
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that the amendments to the Criminal and Criminal Procedure Codes, as well as the laws "On Information, Informatization and Protection of Information" and "On Media," were discussed during today's plenary session of the parliament in Baku. Under the new regulations, creating or distributing AI-generated photos, videos, or audio that do not reflect reality without a person's consent will face fines ranging from 3,000 to 7,000 manats, 360 to 480 hours of community service, or up to three years of imprisonment.
The legislation stipulates harsher penalties of three to five years in prison if such acts are committed by a group, target multiple individuals, or aim to damage a person's honor and dignity. Furthermore, the production or distribution of AI-generated pornographic or sexual content without consent carries a prison sentence of three to seven years. The law also mandates that any AI-generated media must be provided with a clearly visible and easily identifiable label indicating that such technology was used.
This legislative move reflects Azerbaijan's proactive approach to addressing the global challenges posed by rapid advancements in generative AI. As deepfake technology becomes more accessible, the government is implementing legal frameworks to prevent misinformation and protect individual rights. These measures are considered a critical step in modernizing the national legal system in Azerbaijan to keep pace with the digital era and ensure the security of the country's information space.
