Creating fake videos and photos using artificial intelligence will be considered a crime.
Medianews.az, referring to Musavat.com, reports that this is reflected in the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Code discussed at the National Assembly meeting held today.
According to the draft law, the preparation of photo, video, or audio materials that do not reflect reality using artificial intelligence technologies and special software without a person's consent by using their image or voice, or the dissemination of such materials in the media, public areas, or internet information resources and telecommunications networks, will be punishable by a fine ranging from 3000 to 7000 AZN or 360 to 480 hours of public work, or restriction of freedom for up to 3 years, or imprisonment for the same period.
If the same actions are committed by a group of persons or a group of persons acting in collusion, if committed against two or more persons, if committed with the intent to tarnish the honor and dignity of a person or to discredit them, or if committed against the victim or their close relatives in relation to the victim’s official duty or public service, the punishment will be imprisonment for a term of 3 to 5 years.
According to the draft law on amendments to the Criminal Code, criminal prosecution on a public-private accusation basis will also be carried out based on a complaint from the victim and at the initiative of the prosecutor for the crimes mentioned above.
According to the current legislation, criminal prosecution on a public-private accusation basis may be initiated by the prosecutor without the victim's complaint only in the following cases:
- when the committed crime harms the interests of the state or society;
- when the crime is committed by or against a representative of the government or other officials of state bodies;
- when the crime is committed against a pregnant woman, an elderly person, or a person in a helpless state;
- when the crime is committed against another person under threat, coercion, or dependent on the perpetrator;
- when the crime is committed by or against a person who is legally incapable or has not reached the age of criminal responsibility.
After discussions, the issue was put to a vote and adopted in the third reading.