The Bill would create a new standalone criminal offence for those who 'knowingly exploit another person’s name, image, voice or likeness without consent'. Photograph: Yuliya Taba/ Getty ImagesThe head of the Oireachtas committee on artificial intelligence (AI) has called on the Government to fast track a Bill that would criminalise the harmful misuse of someone’s voice or image. Fianna Fáil TD Malcolm Byrne introduced the Protection of Voice and Image Bill in April, which would criminalise what are colloquially known as “deepfakes” - when someone’s voice or image is used to generate a false photo or video with AI. The strength of laws in Ireland to criminalise AI-generated non-consensual intimate images and child sex abuse images are being examined by the Attorney General. “The deliberate misuse of someone’s image or voice without their consent for malign purposes should be a criminal offence.

Source: The Irish Times January 07, 2026 15:57 UTC