Cape Town – The South African Police Service (SAPS) has warned members of the public against using its badge and emblem without authorisation, saying the unauthorised use of police insignia in artificial intelligence (AI)-generated images and videos contravenes the law.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, SAPS said it had noticed several AI-generated materials featuring the SAPS badge circulating on social media platforms for various purposes.
“This unauthorised use of the SAPS badge is a direct contravention of the SAPS Act,” the statement said.
The police service emphasised that its badge and emblem are legally protected and may not be copied, altered or used without the necessary permission.
“The SAPS badge is a symbol of authority and public trust. Using it without permission can lead to serious legal consequences,” it warned.
SAPS Brakpan said the use of AI tools to create posters and videos featuring police insignia might appear harmless but could mislead the public, particularly when the material was not verified.
“The use of AI tools to make posters and videos, including the SAPS badge, may seem harmless but can easily be misinterpreted,” the statement said.
The warning forms part of broader efforts to prevent the circulation of AI-generated images that could mislead or deceive members of the public.
According to the police, the misuse of SAPS insignia extends beyond impersonating police officers. It includes the unauthorised wearing of official police uniforms, using AI to alter people’s faces to make them appear to be police officers, and creating fabricated images depicting police arrests.
The service also reminded its members that social media rules regulate their online activities, including restrictions on unauthorised posts showing them in uniform or displaying SAPS insignia on private accounts.
SAPS urged the public to use AI responsibly and refrain from creating or sharing images that could be mistaken for genuine police-issued documents or official communications.
Members of the public are also encouraged to report anyone seen using the SAPS badge or wearing the official police uniform without authorisation to their nearest police station.
The warning comes as AI tools make it increasingly easy to produce realistic-looking images and videos, raising concerns about the potential spread of misleading material online.
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Picture: Facebook / SAPS
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
