Legislators in Argentina and Costa Rica target AI deepfake sexual violence

Legislative bodies in Argentina and Costa Rica are advancing measures to combat digital sexual violence facilitated by artificial intelligence and deepfakes.

In Catamarca, Argentina, the Chamber of Deputies granted semi-sanction to a project proposed by Deputy Juan Carlos Ledesma. The initiative seeks to establish a legal regime to prevent and punish the unauthorized creation and distribution of intimate images, voices, or other content manipulated via AI. The project emphasizes the protection of children and adolescents and clarifies that posting a photo on social media does not constitute consent for its subsequent use in AI-generated sexual content. Penalties may be aggravated in cases involving harassment, extortion, or revenge.

In Costa Rica, a bill known as the ‘Law against Digital Sexual Violence’ is moving through the legislative process to address gaps in existing laws regarding digital environments. Proposed by Deputy Claudia Dobles, the bill aims to recognize the creation of manipulated sexual content as a form of abuse, particularly targeting women. The Costa Rican Supreme Court has reviewed the proposal, with magistrates noting the necessity of the measure to address how AI reduces technical barriers for those seeking to damage reputations and dignity through digital means.