Mexico City Congress Proposes Stricter Penalties for Child Deepfakes
Mexico City, March 3 – The Mexico City Congress is pushing for a significant reform to the local Penal Code, proposing prison sentences of up to 12 years for those who create, disseminate, or alter simulated sexual material of minors using artificial intelligence (AI). This legislative move, announced on March 2, 2026, seeks to bolster the protection of children and adolescents against digital sexual abuse.
The initiative, according to a bulletin from the Mexico City Congress, outlines penalties ranging from seven to twelve years in prison and fines of up to 2,000 days. Additionally, all instruments and products associated with the crime will be confiscated and destroyed.
Arguments for the Proposal: Protecting Vulnerable Minors
Deputy Diana Sánchez Barrios, coordinator of the Parliamentary Association of Women for Feminist and Inclusive Trade (APMCFI), introduced the proposal on February 26. She emphasized that the reform does not introduce a new crime but rather updates the legal framework to address the lack of regulations concerning materials created or modified by AI.
Sánchez Barrios highlighted that the creation of these digital files contributes to the “normalization of the sexualization of childhood” and reinforces patterns of abuse. She further noted that this phenomenon fosters both symbolic and economic markets that legitimize the exploitation of minors.
From Sánchez Barrios’ perspective, girls and adolescent women, as well as children with diverse gender identities or those in situations of poverty, suffer disproportionate consequences. They face greater legal and technological barriers to protection against digital abuse.
International studies cited in the initiative’s explanatory statement indicate that 98% of deepfake videos circulating online contain sexual content, with 99% of the individuals depicted being women. Furthermore, between 2022 and 2023, the volume of such material increased by 460%.
Broad Political Support for the Initiative
The lack of legislation in Mexico regarding sexual deepfakes involving minors allows for the proliferation of these materials, exposing children and adolescents to new risks, as stated in the Mexico City Congress bulletin.
This initiative has garnered significant support among lawmakers, including mandates and deputies from MORENA, the Labor Party (PT), and the Progressive Parliamentary Association for Transformation. The proposal has been forwarded to the Governing Board of the Mexico City Congress for further review.
Currently, the reform is under analysis by the Commission of Administration and Justice Procurement of the local Congress. The parliamentary process is expected to advance in the coming weeks, incorporating dialogue with various sectors interested in protecting children’s rights.
Parallel Legislative Efforts: Regulating Mototaxis
In a parallel development, the local Congress also approved urging the Secretariat of Mobility (Semovi) to establish regulations for mototaxis in the capital. This initiative, led by Deputy Yolanda García Ortega, aims to mandate compulsory insurance for these vehicles to cover passengers and third parties in case of accidents.
More than 12,000 individuals in Mexico City are employed in the mototaxi service, particularly in areas such as Gustavo A. Madero, Iztapalapa, Milpa Alta, Tláhuac, and Xochimilco. The objective is to standardize safety and protection measures in local mobility, aligning them with other regulated transport systems that already have insurance coverage.
