What happened
Leentje Grillaert and Steven Matheï of cd&v have tabled a deepfakes bill in the Belgian Chamber, published as DOC 56 1728/001 on 7 September 2026. It would add Article XI.203/1 to the Code of Economic Law, a neighbouring right over a person's image and voice.
Every natural person would hold an inalienable moral right and an exclusive right to authorise or prohibit making, copying, distributing or publicly communicating a deepfake of them, until 50 years after death. Exceptions cover consent, and parody, satire or social criticism that keeps a fair balance with freedom of expression and does not disproportionately harm honour or reputation.
Why it matters
A filmmaker recreating a real person's face or voice would generally need that person's consent. Any contract on these rights must be proven in writing and state remuneration, scope and duration for each use. A blanket waiver of the moral right would be void, so a person who agreed could still object to a deepfake that harms their honour or reputation.
The text has no separate exception for art, documentary, education or archives, so a documentary that rebuilds a real person's voice would need consent or a parody, satire or criticism defence.
Still open
As of 26 October 2026 the bill is not adopted. Further parliamentary consideration and an opinion from the Council of State are pending, and the text sets no entry-into-force date.