Thomas Lyons 
Italy Blocks ChatGPT, the Advanced AI Chatbot, over GDPR Concerns
Italy has become the first European country to block the advanced artificial intelligence chatbot, ChatGPT. The country’s data protection authority has decided to investigate whether the chatbot complies with the European Greater Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) over privacy concerns. The authority has also accused ChatGPT of failing to verify the age of its users.
ChatGPT, created by US startup OpenAI and backed by Microsoft, has been used by millions since its official launch in November 2020. The AI chatbot can answer questions posed to it in a human-like, conversational style, and can also compose music, write song lyrics, short stories, poetry, and academic essays.
OpenAI, based in San Francisco, has 20 days to respond to the Italian data protection authority’s order. If it fails to do so, the firm could face a fine of up to €20m.
On March 20, OpenAI temporarily took ChatGPT offline after a bug caused some of its users to see titles from another user’s chat history. The same bug may have also exposed the personal and financial details of some of its users for a nine-hour period. OpenAI has reached out to affected users and apologized for the bug in a statement on March 24.
The Italian data protection authority’s decision to block ChatGPT comes as a significant blow to OpenAI, which has been at the forefront of developing advanced AI technologies. The company’s founders, including Elon Musk and Sam Altman, created OpenAI in 2015 with the goal of ensuring that AI is developed in a safe and beneficial way for humanity.
The GDPR, which came into effect in 2018, is one of the most stringent data protection regulations globally. It aims to protect the privacy and personal data of EU citizens and has strict rules on how companies can collect, store, and use personal data.
OpenAI has not yet commented on the Italian data protection authority’s decision to block ChatGPT. However, the company has previously stated that it is committed to complying with all relevant data protection regulations and ensuring the privacy and security of its users’ data.
The decision to block ChatGPT raises questions about the future of AI chatbots and their compliance with data protection regulations. As AI technologies become more advanced and widespread, it is essential to ensure that they are developed and used in a way that protects users’ privacy and personal data. The Italian data protection authority’s decision to investigate ChatGPT’s compliance with GDPR is an important step in this direction.
It remains to be seen how OpenAI will respond to the Italian data protection authority’s order and whether it will be able to address the privacy concerns raised by the regulator. However, the case of ChatGPT highlights the need for companies developing AI technologies to prioritize data protection and privacy to ensure that their products are safe and beneficial for users.
