Deep nude

Committee on Feminicide unanimously: 'Let it be a crime to generate sexual content with AI'

New measures to counter the publication of stolen or artificial intelligence-generated pictures after the 'My Wife', 'Phica.eu' and 'Social Media Girls' cases that also stripped politicians and showbiz personalities. Among the novelties is the digital daspo and the ban on surfing the net for those who are under house arrest for this type of offence

by Letizia Giostra

22 April 2026

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Key points

Digital Intelligence
From the amendment of Article 284 to Agcom's new powers
Upcoming news for managers and journalists
Reactions

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

It was the summer of last year when the "My wife" case broke out, a Facebook group in which sexually explicit photographs were shared without the partner's consent. An affair that was followed a few months later by that of the online platform "Phica.eu", where photographs were published depicting women dressed by artificial intelligence. The latest episode dates back to October when - after a complaint by journalist and writer Francesca Barra - the sexist site "Social Media Girls" came out of the woodwork with the same modus operandi.

But now things could change after the unanimous approval of the feminicide commission - chaired by MEP Martina Semenzato and set up in the wake of these events - on the report 'Digital Dimension of Violence Against Women', which gathers proposals to combat the phenomenon. There is also an offence for those who spread "Deep nude", i.e. sexually explicit content generated by AI.

The digital daspo

There are 20 proposals in the report aimed at protecting those who fall victim to traps on the net. Among the solutions indicated to defend those who have seen their photos published without consent is the digital daspo, a measure that suspends or blocks the profile of the user who has disseminated the images. Just like the urban one - which prohibits citizens who commit crimes from setting foot in certain public areas - the web also takes on the features of a 'physical' place to be protected.

From the amendment of Article 284 to the new powers of Agcom

No mobile phone for those who commit digital crimes and are under house arrest. A novelty that modifies Article 284 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Penalties for those who commit 'sextortion' are increased, while the identification of the user through a certified digital identity becomes essential. Also extended to all sites is the obligation to register the 'hash' code, a function that makes it possible to obtain the fingerprint of a file in order to extrapolate its content.

We then move on to digital education to teach young and old how to surf the net responsibly. A focus therefore on the commission also for minors using smartphones, plus a single point of contact to enable the competent authorities to work in synergy.

More powers for the Communications Guarantee Authority to get its hands also on platforms that are not based in Italia, as well as the extension of the reporting mechanism to the personal data protection guarantor.

Upcoming News for Managers and Journalists

There is also the obligation of operators to monitor their platforms to ensure timely intervention in the event of a crime, followed by the strengthening of technical-investigative skills in the fight against digital violence. Managers must also guarantee the modalities of reporting an illicit content, for which there is also the acceleration of the procedures for the issuing of the qualification of trustworthy reporter.

Finally, the report also touches on journalists through an amendment of the code of ethics in force as of 1 June 2025 to contain the phenomenon of 'superbroadcasting', i.e. all those specific measures taken to also contain the sharing of content manipulated by artificial intelligence.

The reactions

Stalking, revenge porn and deepfake. These are just some of the phenomena that the Feminicide Commission led by Martina Semenzato wants to combat. 'Robust, complex and thorough' are the terms used by the MEP to define the measure. This is followed by the comment of the Fratelli d'Italia senator and vice-president Elena Leonardi, who recalls the case of the 'My wife' community in which images retouched by artificial intelligence were found.

Satisfaction also came from the Democratic Party, represented by the group leader Sara Ferrari, who, together with the other Dem members of the committee, commented: 'In addition to the updating of state legislation in line with European legislation to combat the phenomenon and to protect victims, we consider the point of education in the use of digital tools to be fundamental, not only in technical terms but for the strengthening of the culture of gender equality, respect and rejection of all forms of violence, aimed at minors and adults'.