Italy’s Data Protection Authority, Garante, has put OpenAI’s ChatGPT artificial intelligence chatbot application under scrutiny for potential data protection violations. The investigation, which was initiated last year, led to a temporary ban on ChatGPT due to alleged breaches of EU privacy rules. The service was later reinstated after OpenAI addressed concerns related to user consent for the use of personal data in algorithm training. However, the recent announcement from Garante suggests that the issues have not been fully resolved.
The specific details of the potential data privacy violations were not provided in the statement released by Garante. OpenAI has not yet responded to requests for comments, and the authority has granted the company a 30-day period to present defense arguments. The investigation will also consider insights from a European task force comprising national privacy watchdogs. Italy’s proactive stance in evaluating AI platform compliance with the EU’s data privacy regulations sets a precedent for other West European countries. Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) introduced in 2018, companies found in violation of these rules could face fines of up to 4 per cent of their global turnover.
Furthermore, EU lawmakers and governments reached provisional terms in December for regulating AI systems, including ChatGPT, signaling progress toward establishing comprehensive rules for governing this technology. This development indicates that policymakers are increasingly aware of the need to ensure that AI technologies comply with data protection regulations to safeguard the privacy and rights of users.
In light of these recent developments, opinions on the matter are divided. While some argue that stringent regulations are necessary to ensure the responsible use of AI and protect users’ privacy, others believe that excessive restrictions could stifle innovation and hinder the potential benefits of AI technology. The balance between regulation and innovation will be crucial in shaping the future of AI and its impact on society.