Spain’s government has sent a new law to Congress aimed at banning fake sexual images created using artificial intelligence after growing concern that people could be exposed online abuse, harassment and the spread of manipulated content including those of women and children.

The government says the measures are designed to protect individuals from having their images turned into explicit material without consent, a problem that has raised particular concern among parents, schools and child protection groups.

The legislation would introduce some of the toughest penalties yet seen in Spain for the creation and distribution of sexual “deepfakes”, including fines of up to 35 million euros or 7% of a company’s global annual turnover in the most serious cases. The move follows increasing concern across Europe over the rise of digitally manipulated images and videos that can place a person’s face onto explicit content without their consent.

Focus on protecting victims from fake sexual content

The proposed law is to address fears that ordinary people, including teenagers and children, can be targeted using publicly available photographs taken from social media accounts or messaging platforms. In recent years, cases involving fake nude images of schoolgirls and women have attracted national attention in Spain, raising concerns about how quickly manipulated material can spread online and the emotional impact it can have on victims.

Under the proposed legislation, creating or sharing sexually explicit fake images without consent would face tighter legal restrictions. The measures are intended to protect people from having fabricated intimate material circulated online using their likeness. The legislation also includes measures targeting artificially generated child sexual abuse material and other forms of harmful digital impersonation.

Concerns over the impact on young people

The issue has become particularly sensitive following several investigations involving minors. Spanish authorities and campaign groups have warned that young people are especially vulnerable because photographs posted online can be copied and altered without permission.

Parents’ associations and child protection groups have repeatedly called for stronger safeguards after incidents involving school-age victims caused public concern in different parts of the country. The government argues that existing legislation has struggled to keep pace with the speed at which manipulated images can now be produced and shared.

New penalties and restrictions proposed

The bill approved by the Council of Ministers would create new penalties for companies and platforms that fail to comply with rules surrounding prohibited content. In the most serious cases, sanctions could reach 35 million euros or 7% of annual global turnover.

Spain’s Digital Transformation Minister Óscar López said the law is intended to protect citizens from harmful uses of technology and strengthen safeguards against abuse. Alongside restrictions on fake sexual content, the legislation would also prohibit certain forms of biometric categorisation and systems considered harmful to privacy or individual rights.

Mandatory labelling of altered content

The proposed law would require AI-generated material to be clearly identified in some situations so that users know when images, audio or video have been artificially altered or created.

Spanish officials say the aim is to reduce deception online and prevent manipulated material being mistaken for real content. The measures form part of Spain’s adaptation of wider European Union rules on artificial intelligence and digital safety.

Cases involving fake images have increased concern

Public debate around manipulated sexual images intensified after several high-profile cases involving teenagers emerged in Spain over the past two years. Some incidents involved fake nude images of minors created from ordinary photographs shared online.

Although the pictures were fabricated, families and campaigners warned that the damage caused to victims could still be severe. Experts working in child safety and digital rights have warned that the spread of manipulated intimate content can lead to humiliation, bullying and psychological distress, particularly among younger victims.

Law still faces parliamentary approval

The legislation must now pass through Spain’s parliamentary process before becoming law. Congress will debate the proposals and may introduce amendments before a final vote takes place. If approved, Spain would become one of the European countries with the strongest financial penalties linked to the creation and spread of fake sexual material generated using artificial intelligence.

The government says the legislation is intended to respond to growing public anxiety over how easily manipulated intimate content can now be produced and shared online. For many families, the debate centres on a simple concern: whether an ordinary photograph uploaded to the internet could be turned into fake explicit material without permission, and what legal protections exist if that happens.

Age Concern Marbella San Pedro always works to make sure life after 50 stays filled with fun, friendship and enjoyment for local residents.

Retired individuals or those who have recently stopped working can get chances to connect with others through dedicated events.

People dealing with common health issues or simply wishing to expand their social circle receive tailored assistance.

Coffee mornings operate in multiple locations

Six drop-in coffee mornings function across Marbella, San Pedro and Elviria to create inclusive spaces.

Participants can enjoy a warm welcome whether they attend alone or with a partner. Trained volunteers run each session and offer guidance to anyone who finds new environments slightly intimidating.

Venues host weekly sessions

• Neli G’s Gastro Cafe in Las Palmeras de Benavista, Benavista, provides space for one coffee morning.
• Sunday, San Pedro at Avenida Marques del Duero 82 in San Pedro Alcantara operates another regular session.
• Hapimag Marbella at Calle Camilo Jose Cela 17 in Marbella welcomes guests regularly.
• Urban Chai at Calle las Petunias local 6 bloque 1 in San Pedro hosts a coffee morning.
• Pandora on Avenida Marques del Duero in San Pedro Alcantara serves as an additional location.
• El Barracón in Centro Commercial Elviria local 16 completes the list of venues.

Full details appear in regular adverts placed in Euroweekly News.

Extensive services help maintain independence

Free welfare advice and targeted support feature among the wide variety of services. Monthly lunches, day trips and home visits supplement the programme. Activities take place at the community centre in San Pedro to match varied interests and abilities. English-speaking members of the over-50 community remain active, connected and independent as a result.

Contact options make sure of easy access

Helpline staff remain available 40 hours a week from Monday to Friday between 10am and 6pm. Callers reach the team at 689 35 51 98 or via WhatsApp for immediate responses from trained volunteers. Emails sent to info@ageconcernmarbella.com require inclusion of a daytime phone number for callbacks.

Join the caring community today

Membership of Age Concern Marbella San Pedro opens doors to fresh experiences and lasting friendships. People who sense isolation after family or friends have relocated benefit from immediate contact. Dedicated staff create an environment where every individual feels valued and part of the group.

The Spanish supermarket sector recorded further growth in employment, investment and store openings over the past year, according to a new industry report presented by ASEDAS and compiled by Retail Data. The analysis was released alongside comments from the association’s director general, Ignacio García Magarzo, who expressed concern about how consumers perceive price developments and the image of the food distribution sector.

He said the organisation was “very concerned about the evolution of prices and the perception that is had of the problem”, and warned that political circumstances could return the sector to the centre of public debate. The report examines activity in Spain’s food distribution industry and covers trends in pricing, employment, investment and profitability between 2019 and 2024.

Industry rejects claims over pricing structure and competition

García Magarzo rejected suggestions that there is a competition problem in food distribution or that pricing formation is distorted. He questioned proposals for publicly owned supermarkets, stating: “Does a public supermarket make sense? It does not, there is no need given the current level of competition.” He defended the conduct of companies in the sector, describing their behaviour as responsible during complex economic conditions affecting costs, demand and supply chains.

He also criticised messaging that, in his view, could undermine consumer trust. He argued that confidence in the sector takes considerable time to build and can be damaged by inaccurate perceptions about pricing and margins. According to García Magarzo, defending the sector depends on providing accurate information rather than allowing what he described as misleading interpretations of market behaviour to dominate public discussion.

Inflation peak and profit margin developments

The report presented by ASEDAS also examines the relationship between inflation and profitability in food distribution between 2019 and 2024. It highlights that during the peak of the inflation crisis in 2022, driven by post-pandemic recovery and the impact of the war in Ukraine, food inflation reached 15.7%. At the same time, margins in food distribution fell to 1.85%, reflecting pressure on profitability during the most intense phase of price increases.

Retail Data, the consultancy responsible for the analysis, reported that in 2024, the most recently fully audited year, 34% of operators achieved a net return on sales above 3%, while 54% recorded returns above 2%. The sector also contributed more than 800 million euros in corporate tax during that year, representing an increase of 45% compared with the previous year.

Revenue, investment and employment growth

The distribution sector recorded total profits of 3.100 billion euros in 2024, generating an average margin of 2.9%. This represented an improvement compared with 2.21% in 2023, attributed to tighter cost control and improvements in energy efficiency across operations. The report recorded 860 new store openings during the year, with total investment reaching approximately 3 billion euros. Of this, around 1.3 billion euros was allocated to new construction projects.

Employment in the sector increased by 1.7%, reaching nearly 494,000 workers. The expansion also generated around 10,000 new jobs over the period. Companies linked to central purchasing organisations accounted for approximately 160,000 of the total workforce, highlighting the role of cooperative and franchised models in the distribution network.

Labour costs and operational pressures

The analysis identified rising labour costs as a significant factor in the sector. It found that personnel expenses in larger companies increased by more than 8%, compared with sales growth of 5.1%.

This imbalance resulted in an average cost per employee of 27,444 euros, representing an increase of 3.5% compared with 2023.

Analysts noted that while employment and investment continued to grow, cost pressures remain a structural challenge for retailers operating in a competitive environment.

Expansion trends and rural distribution

By the first four months of 2026, 221 new stores had already opened. ASEDAS estimates that total openings could reach 800 by the end of the year if current trends continue. Of the new openings, 61% were linked to cooperatives and franchise models.

Around 26% were located in rural areas, highlighting the importance of smaller population centres in retail expansion strategies. The sector has also continued a broad programme of store renovation, with around 40% of the network upgraded over the past five years. This equates to more than 10,500 stores, often incorporating improvements in energy efficiency and operational performance.

Outlook and ongoing public debate

ASEDAS indicated that public discussion around prices is likely to remain prominent, particularly in a political context where inflation and household costs continue to attract attention.

García Magarzo said that expectations around price increases could worsen perceptions of the sector, and argued that accurate information is essential to maintaining consumer confidence in retail operations.

The association’s analysis suggests that while the sector continues to expand in employment, investment and store openings, reputational concerns remain a parallel challenge alongside economic performance.