Israeli Election Committee Mandates AI Disclosure on Digital Campaign Content

The Central Elections Committee of Israel, led by Judge Noam Solberg, has introduced new regulations requiring explicit labeling of election campaign materials created or significantly altered using digital means, including artificial intelligence (AI). Effective from July 26, 2026, any digital content that could be mistaken for authentic footage must carry a clear disclosure. Failure to comply may be considered a legal violation.

The new rules mandate that images and videos include a prominent visual label, while audio content must feature an audible announcement at the beginning and end of the broadcast. The regulations aim to ensure transparency and maintain public trust in the electoral process amid growing concerns about AI's potential to manipulate voters and undermine election integrity.

These guidelines were established following recent controversies involving AI-manipulated images and videos in political campaigns. Earlier in 2026, the Bennett 2026 party filed complaints against the Likud party for distributing doctored images showing Bennett and Lapid alongside Arab party leaders, allegedly to mislead voters. In May, Likud and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released AI-generated content portraying Bennett and Lapid as controlled by Arab party heads, prompting Bennett to respond with authentic footage labeled "Netanyahu, this is yours, not AI."

The labeling requirement is temporary, valid until one year after the 26th Knesset elections. It applies only to content that digitally creates or substantially alters depictions of people, places, events, documents, or objects in a way that might deceive viewers about their origin. Publishers can use written notices or a designated label for visual content, but audio content must include spoken disclosure in the same language and similar volume and pace as the rest of the recording.

The Central Elections Committee emphasized that these measures are a pioneering step to address AI challenges during elections, aiming to protect both voters and advertisers and uphold election integrity in the digital age.