Japan Proposes Public Shaming Instead of Criminal Prosecution as a Way of Fighting AI Misinformation Abuse

Government officials are planning new rules to tackle disinformation and bias in AI systems, Asahi Shinbun reports. Instead of fines or criminal charges, the law will focus on publicly naming companies that cause serious human rights issues. This approach aims to avoid stifling innovation while still holding businesses accountable.

The bill, expected in February during the ordinary Diet session, will allow the government to investigate AI content that spreads discrimination or violates human rights.

Companies will need to cooperate with these investigations and follow government directions. If they don’t, they could be publicly named.

Even when a service isn’t serious enough to name the operator, the government will still warn the public about the service and similar ones. Officials are still discussing the criteria for public naming.

The law will also list critical infrastructures using AI and offer guidance to businesses and the public. This initiative began after an expert panel suggested stronger regulations last month.

While the government wants to balance AI innovation with risk management, some experts argue that naming and shaming may not be enough, especially for foreign companies. They believe stricter penalties might be needed to ensure compliance.

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