President Ilham Aliyev has approved legislative amendments introducing strict penalties for the illegal creation and distribution of materials using artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. According to Operative Information Center-OMM, the head of state signed changes to the Criminal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure, and the laws "On Information, Informatization, and Protection of Information" and "On Media."
Under the new regulations, creating or distributing AI-generated photos, videos, or audio that use a person's likeness or voice without their consent is punishable by fines ranging from 3,000 to 7,000 manats, community service from 360 to 480 hours, or up to three years of imprisonment. If the offense is committed by a group, targets multiple individuals, or aims to defame a person's reputation, the sentence increases to a term of three to five years. Furthermore, the creation or dissemination 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 clearly and visibly labeled to indicate its synthetic origin.
These legislative updates reflect Azerbaijan's proactive approach to addressing the global challenges posed by rapid advancements in digital technology and the rise of "deepfakes." By regulating AI-manipulated media, the government aims to protect the rights, dignity, and privacy of citizens in the digital space while ensuring transparency in the media environment. Following the signing of the document, the Cabinet of Ministers has been tasked with resolving administrative and technical issues arising from the implementation of these new legal standards in Azerbaijan.
