Malta plans new legislation to address abusive use of deepfake

The Maltese government is drafting new legal recommendations aimed at tackling the abusive use of deepfake technology, Prime Minister Robert Abela said on 13 January during a meeting with participants in the National Youth Parliament.

According to Abela, the government is reviewing current legislation to identify gaps and introduce penalties for the misuse of AI in cases involving harassment, blackmail, or bullying. He said the planned approach would build on earlier reforms that addressed cyberbullying and cyberstalking, extending similar protections to harms caused by AI-generated content.

The Prime Minister stressed that while Malta is actively promoting the adoption of AI, including through measures announced in the national budget, this must be balanced with safeguards to ensure technologies are used responsibly. He said the government has a duty to create a legal framework that discourages abuse while supporting innovation.

AI and youth participation in public life were key themes discussed by the National Youth Parliament in 2025. Abela highlighted the role of young people in shaping Malta’s long-term development strategy, Vision Malta 2050, noting that policies adopted today will directly affect those entering the workforce or starting families over the coming decades.

He added that young people play an important role in influencing national debates on issues such as environmental protection, demographic trends, and the balance between work and family life.