Cotonou, August 2024 – Benin’s National Center for Digital Investigations (CNIN) has issued a strong warning against the unauthorized use of AI-generated or modified images of individuals, stressing that offenders could face up to five years in prison and fines of CFA25 million ($44,400).
Authorities linked the warning to the rapid spread of generative AI and deepfake technologies, which are increasingly used in fraud, defamation, identity theft, and disinformation. The CNIN emphasized that such practices violate image rights and fall under Article 576 of Benin’s Digital Code.
Cybercrime cases in Benin have surged in recent years, rising from 347 in 2022 to 415 in 2023, and reaching 576 cases by September 2024, according to the special prosecutor of the Court for the Repression of Economic Offences and Terrorism (CRIET). Officials have also dismantled hundreds of fake accounts linked to online scams, romance fraud, and marabout-related schemes.
Deepfakes represent only part of a broader cybersecurity challenge. Across Africa, online scams, ransomware, and identity theft have cost economies an estimated $3 billion between 2019 and 2025, according to Interpol. Benin’s authorities are now intensifying efforts to prevent AI misuse before it becomes a new channel for fraud and disinformation.
The CNIN’s warning underscores the growing tension between the rapid adoption of generative AI tools and the need to protect citizens’ rights in the digital space. Regulators face the challenge of balancing innovation with accountability, ensuring that technology serves communities without undermining trust or security.
By criminalizing unauthorized AI-generated images, Benin is positioning itself as one of the first African nations to take decisive action against the misuse of emerging technologies, reinforcing its commitment to safeguarding digital identity and public confidence.
