EU Parliament Delays AI Act Deadlines, Bans Nudify Apps

EU Parliament Delays AI Act Compliance While Banning Nudifier Applications

On March 27, 2026, the European Parliament adopted AI Act amendments by 569-45 vote. The core amendment delays high-risk AI compliance: December 2, 2027 for systems involving biometrics, critical infrastructure, education, employment, law enforcement; August 2, 2028 for EU sectoral legislation; November 2, 2026 for AI content watermarking.

The most notable addition bans "nudifier" systems creating sexually explicit images of identifiable persons without consent. Exception only for systems with effective technical prevention measures.

SME support includes conditional data processing for bias detection, extended support for small mid-cap enterprises, and reduced AI Act obligations for products already regulated under sectoral laws.

The EU's dual-track approach - delaying compliance while adding new bans - demonstrates regulatory maturity: acknowledging implementation needs time while holding firm on ethical baselines. The "Brussels Effect" may see many multinationals adopt EU standards globally. This contrasts sharply with the White House's light-touch framework released days earlier.