EU AI Act, Article 50
Transparency obligations. Providers of generative systems must mark output in a machine-readable way; deployers must disclose deepfakes and AI-written text published on matters of public interest. Applies from August 2, 2026, with a transition period for systems already on the market.
What it is
Article 50 is the transparency article. Providers of generative systems must ensure output is marked in a machine-readable format and detectable as generated or manipulated, using methods that are effective, interoperable, robust and reliable as far as technically feasible. Deployers must disclose deepfakes, and must disclose AI-generated text published to inform the public on matters of public interest unless a person reviewed it and someone holds editorial responsibility. The obligations apply from August 2, 2026, and systems placed on the market before then have a transition period. Enforcement is by national authorities, with fines in the general tier of the Act.
When to use this entry
Cite it for the legal duty behind the watermarks the providers launched in 2026.
Questions
Does Article 50 require watermarks?
It requires machine-readable marking that is detectable; the Code of Practice interprets that as secured metadata plus watermarks.
Does Article 50 ban removing a watermark?
No. The duties fall on providers and deployers; the Code asks providers to make marks hard to remove.