EU lays out guidelines on misuse of AI by employers, websites and police

The European Commission has announced new guidelines under the EU Artificial Intelligence Act, which will be fully applicable by August 2, 2026. These guidelines prohibit the use of AI for tracking employees' emotions and manipulating users into financial commitments through AI-enabled dark patterns. Additionally, AI applications that exploit individuals based on age, disability, or socio-economic status are banned, as is AI-enabled social scoring using unrelated personal data. Law enforcement is restricted from using AI-based facial recognition and biometric data for predicting criminal behavior without verification.

The guidelines aim to provide legal certainty for AI providers and market surveillance authorities, although they are not legally binding. EU countries must designate market surveillance authorities by August 2 to enforce these rules, with violations potentially resulting in fines of 1.5% to 7% of a company's global revenue. The EU's approach to AI regulation is more comprehensive compared to the United States' voluntary compliance and China's focus on social stability and state control.

Key takeaways

Employers are banned from using AI to track employees' emotions under EU AI guidelines.
The EU AI Act prohibits AI-enabled dark patterns and social scoring based on unrelated personal data.
AI breaches can result in fines ranging from 1.5% to 7% of a company's total global revenue.
The EU AI Act is more comprehensive compared to the US's voluntary compliance approach.

EU lays out guidelines on misuse of AI by employers, websites and police

Key takeaways

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