Italy's privacy watchdog takes action against deepfake apps and broadcasts
Italy's privacy regulator, the Garante, has taken several steps against deepfakes, which are realistic fake images, videos or voices made with artificial intelligence. It ordered a temporary limit on the Clothoff app on 1 October 2025 and issued a general warning on 18 December 2025 to anyone using AI tools built on real people's faces or voices. In 2026 it also opened a probe into Grok, X's AI tool, and reprimanded broadcaster R.T.I. over a deepfake of a journalist used on Striscia la notizia.
What does it mean?
Making a fake video or voice of a real person without their consent can now be a crime in Italy, punishable by one to five years in prison. The regulator is telling companies that using AI tools on real people's faces or voices without a proper legal basis and clear information can break privacy rules.
Who is affected?
People whose faces or voices can be copied by AI tools, and companies that offer or use such tools.