EU requires mandatory labeling of AI‑generated content starting August 2026

The European Union’s AI Act will enforce new transparency rules for artificial‑intelligence‑generated media. From 2 August 2026, deepfakes—images, audio or video that mimic real events—and texts on public matters must carry a clear label indicating they were created or altered by AI. The European Commission has released a set of free official icons in four colour versions, available in SVG and PNG formats, to help platforms, businesses and content creators meet the requirement. While the use of the icons is voluntary, the labeling itself is mandatory; failure to comply with Article 50 of the AI Act may result in sanctions. The labeling regime is stricter for deepfakes, whereas AI‑generated texts that undergo human editorial review, artistic works, satire or fiction enjoy more flexible treatment.