EU AI Labeling Rules Take Effect August 2, 2026

From August 2, 2026, the EU requires visible labels and digital watermarks on AI-generated text, images, video, and audio meant to look real. Fines reach €15 million or 3% of global turnover. The rules come from the AI Act, agreed December 2023. Existing systems get a four-month extension. Green MEP Lagodinsky called them "customer protection and democracy protection."