PNP: Failure to label AI-generated police images may prompt legal action

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said failing to disclose that images of police officers were generated by artificial intelligence (AI) may prompt legal action.

“While the use of emerging AI technology may involve different circumstances, failing to clearly label or disclose that an image is AI-generated may expose a person to possible liability, depending on how the content is created, presented, and used,” the PNP said in a statement.

“The unauthorized use of police uniforms or insignia, including in AI-generated content posted online, may have legal implications under Article 179 of the Revised Penal Code, or Illegal Use of Uniforms or Insignia,” it added.

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Article 179 of the Revised Penal Code pertains to “any person who shall publicly and improperly make use of insignia, uniforms or dress pertaining to an office not held by such person or to a class of persons of which he is not a member.”

The crime may be penalized with imprisonment of between one month and one day and six months.

Further, the PNP said the violation may be considered in relation to Section 6 of Republic Act No. 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

In the statement, PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. noted that the national police force’s reminder was not necessarily a discouragement of AI use.

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“AI is a useful tool, but we need to be careful about what we show and share online,” Nartatez said in Filipino.

“If a police uniform is being used in an AI-generated image, it should be clear that it is not a real police officer. The point is simple—enjoy the technology, but do it responsibly,” he added. /mcm