EU Parliament Just Banned “Nudifier” Apps (Yes, That’s Actually What They’re Called)
The European Parliament just voted to pump the brakes on AI regulation—literally. In a move that screams “we need more time to figure this out,” MEPs voted 569-45 to delay certain artificial intelligence rules while simultaneously dropping the hammer on something called “nudifier apps.” Because apparently, that’s where we are as a civilization.
The Timeline Shuffle
Here’s the deal: Companies now have until December 2027 to comply with high-risk AI system requirements (think biometrics, law enforcement, and border management). For AI covered by existing safety laws? You’ve got until August 2028. It’s like when your professor extends the deadline because nobody understood the assignment—except the assignment is “don’t let AI destroy society.”
Meanwhile, anyone creating AI-generated deepfakes has until November 2026 to slap watermarks on their synthetic content. You know, so people can tell whether that video of a politician dancing the Macarena is real or not.
The Nudifier Crackdown
But the real headline? Parliament said “absolutely not” to AI systems that create fake intimate images of real people without consent. These so-called “nudifier” apps—yes, someone actually named them that—are now banned unless they have foolproof safeguards preventing misuse. Spoiler alert: they probably don’t.
Small Businesses Get a Break
In a rare moment of regulatory mercy, the EU is extending support measures to “small mid-cap enterprises” (SMCs)—basically companies that grew too successful to qualify as small businesses but aren’t quite corporate giants. It’s the legislative equivalent of letting your kid stay on your Netflix account after they get their first job.
The Parliament also decided that if products are already regulated by sector-specific laws (medical devices, toys, radio equipment), they won’t get slapped with redundant AI rules. Because nothing says “efficient government” like not making companies fill out the same form twice.
What’s Next?
Now comes the fun part: negotiations with the Council to hammer out the final law. Translation: months of meetings where people argue about semicolons while AI continues evolving at warp speed.
This vote is part of the EU’s seventh “omnibus” simplification package—which is bureaucrat-speak for “we made things too complicated, so here’s more legislation to fix it.” The package also includes proposals on data protection and something called “European business wallets,” which sounds either very boring or very dystopian, depending on your perspective.
One thing’s certain: In the race between AI innovation and AI regulation, regulation just asked for a water break.