EU delays AI Act, bans 'nudify' apps
The European Parliament voted to push back key compliance deadlines in the EU AI Act—delaying high-risk system rules and mandatory watermarking—while simultaneously approving an explicit ban on AI 'nudify' apps that create fake nude images. At the same time, several U.S. states are fast-tracking AI chatbot safety bills and regulators are urging firms to keep robust AI inventories, underscoring a patchwork global compliance environment where rules lag rapid product development. ( )
European Parliament plenary adopted its negotiating position on the Digital Omnibus package on 26 March 2026 by 569 votes in favour, 45 against and 23 abstentions, formally putting Parliament into trilogue talks with the Council and Commission. (europarl.europa.eu) MEPs fixed new application dates: obligations for high‑risk systems listed in Annex III are set to apply from 2 December 2027, sector‑specific AI obligations from 2 August 2028, and mandatory watermarking for AI‑generated audio, image, video or text from 2 November 2026. (freevacy.com) The IMCO and LIBE committees had already approved the joint position on 18 March 2026 by 101 votes to 9, replacing the Commission’s conditional “trigger” mechanism with these concrete calendar deadlines. (aiacto.eu) Parliament also inserted an explicit ban on so‑called “nudifier” apps that generate sexualised deepfakes without consent, a provision reflected in the plenary text and debated as part of the omnibus amendments. (theverge.com) Industry and business groups publicly welcomed the extensions as giving firms more time to meet technical standards, while digital‑rights organisations warned the delay could weaken protections for vulnerable people and privacy safeguards; analysts told CIOs to prepare as many obligations remain immediately applicable. (addleshawgoddard.com) Parliament’s adoption now opens interinstitutional negotiations with the Council and Commission (trilogue), with observers noting the Council previously signalled support for similar delays and that final dates will hinge on those trilogue talks. (medialaws.eu)
