Overview
- The state Congress unanimously approved a reform to Article 176 Bis that criminalizes creating, sharing or distributing sexual images, videos or audio generated with artificial intelligence without the represented person’s consent and sets penalties of one to eight years in prison plus fines.
- The initiative was presented by deputy Tonatiuh Bravo Padilla of Hagamos, who said the goal is to protect victims’ dignity, privacy and emotional safety and to address the gendered nature of digital sexual aggression.
- Lawmakers said the change responds to a legal gap because deepfakes created entirely by AI could not be labeled as ‘manipulated’ or ‘altered’ under existing Ley Olimpia language, raising constitutional concerns about clear criminal definitions.
- Officials cited harms that include anxiety, depression, reputational damage, social isolation and extortion, and referenced a 2024 Córdoba, Argentina case where prosecutors had to use alternate charges because no specific deepfake offense existed.
- The reform gives prosecutors a clear tool to pursue cases, may prompt similar updates in other states, and leaves victims with practical steps to seek help such as preserving evidence, reporting the content and seeking legal assistance.