EU AI Act content labeling vs GDPR privacy & cookie consent: what's the difference?

Both are EU laws covering different things: GDPR is about personal data; the EU AI Act is about AI systems — including a duty to label AI-generated content and disclose chatbots from Aug 2026. An AI feature that processes personal data can trigger both at once.

Side by side

 LabelProofPrivacyProof
RuleEU AI Act content labelingGDPR privacy & cookie consent
RegionEU rulesEU rules
Applies if you…use AI to make images, video, audio or text (or run a chatbot)collect personal data from visitors in the EU or UK
StatusFrom Aug 2026In force
Maximum exposureup to €15M or 3% of global turnover (AI Act Art. 99)up to €20M or 4% of global turnover (Art. 83)
Official sourceEUR-Lex — Regulation (EU) 2024/1689EUR-Lex — Regulation (EU) 2016/679
Do you need both?

Often yes. They're separate obligations, so if your business falls within scope of each — for example, customers or activities that each one covers — you have to meet both. The free checkers tell you where you stand on each in about a minute.

Check where you stand on each

Or check both at once.
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Informational only, not legal advice. Scope and figures can be fact-specific — confirm against each cited source. Last reviewed 2026-06-30.