Which AI practices are banned in Europe since February 2025?
Since February 2, 2025, the AI Act notably bans: generalized social scoring, manipulation exploiting vulnerabilities, emotion recognition at work and in education, biometric categorization based on sensitive traits, and indiscriminate scraping of images for facial recognition databases.
Since February 2, 2025, Regulation EU 2024/1689 prohibits a set of AI practices deemed contrary to the values and fundamental rights of the Union. These prohibitions constitute the first applicable part of the text. They target uses considered unacceptable regardless of their supposed benefit: social scoring, manipulation exploiting vulnerabilities, certain forms of biometric surveillance and emotion recognition. These practices are now prohibited on the territory of the Union.
Main prohibited practices
Generalized social scoring by public authorities, consisting of evaluating or classifying people based on their social behavior, with unjustified harmful effects.
Subliminal or deceptive manipulation techniques that alter behavior to the point of causing harm.
Exploitation of vulnerabilities related to age, disability or social situation, to alter behavior in a harmful way.
Emotion recognition in the workplace and in educational establishments, except limited safety or medical exceptions.
Biometric categorization aimed at inferring sensitive characteristics such as origin, opinions or orientation.
Creation of facial recognition databases through indiscriminate scraping of images from the internet or video surveillance.
Remote real-time biometric identification in public spaces for law enforcement purposes, except strictly framed exceptions subject to authorization.
Why these prohibitions
They protect dignity, privacy, non-discrimination and freedom. The European legislator considered that certain uses, regardless of their technical appearance or justification, cross a red line.
What this changes in practice
An employer cannot deploy a system that claims to read its employees' emotions. Nor can a school do so on its students. The indiscriminate creation of facial recognition databases is prohibited. These protections apply to organizations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these prohibitions already in force?
Yes, since February 2, 2025.
Are there exceptions?
Yes, framed and limited, particularly for certain security purposes subject to authorization.
Who monitors compliance with these prohibitions?
The designated national supervisory authorities, under the European coordination provided for by the regulation.
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