Italy has become the first Western country to block the advanced chatbot, ChatGPT, created by US start-up OpenAI and backed by Microsoft. The Italian data-protection authority raised privacy concerns relating to the model and said it would ban and investigate OpenAI “with immediate effect.” Millions of people have used ChatGPT since its launch in November 2022. It can answer questions using natural, human-like language and can mimic other writing styles. Microsoft has spent billions of dollars on it, and it was added to Bing last month.
Allegations against ChatGPT
The Italian watchdog for personal data protection highlighted the absence of a legal basis justifying the massive collection and conservation of personal data as a concern.
OpenAI told the BBC that it complied with privacy laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which governs the use, processing, and storage of personal data. However, on 20 March, the Italian watchdog said that the app had experienced a data breach involving user conversations and payment information. The watchdog also said that there was no legal basis to justify “the mass collection and storage of personal data for the purpose of ‘training’ the algorithms underlying the operation of the platform”.
It alleged that ChatGPT did not always generate information that corresponded to reality and that there was an absence of any filter verifying the age of users despite the service being intended for those over 13 years of age. Since there was no way to verify the age of users, the app “exposes minors to absolutely unsuitable answers compared to their degree of development and awareness”.
Regulatory Compliance and Investigations
The Italian data protection authority said OpenAI had 20 days to say how it would address the watchdog’s concerns, under penalty of a fine of €20 million ($21.7m) or up to 4% of annual revenues. The Irish data protection commission is following up with the Italian regulator to understand the basis for their action and “will coordinate with all EU data protection authorities” in connection to the ban. The UK’s independent data regulator, the Information Commissioner’s Office, said it would “support” developments in AI but was also ready to “challenge non-compliance” with data protection laws. Consumer advocacy group BEUC called on EU and national authorities, including data-protection watchdogs, to investigate ChatGPT and similar chatbots following the filing of a complaint in the US.
OpenAI’s Troubles
The use of artificial intelligence is becoming more frequent and thriving, and for this reason, UNESCO has urged countries to apply the Global Ethical Framework to this technology without delay. This framework was unanimously adopted in 2021 by the 193 Member States.
OpenAI has faced scrutiny from several organizations in the United States over ChatGPT and other experiments with artificial intelligence. It is believed that OpenAI’s autonomous system is too advanced to control, leading to concerns about its safety and lack of transparency. OpenAI has previously stated that it intends to use ChatGPT to aid the development of new AI systems and improve machine learning capabilities.
Greater Public Scrutiny and Control over AI
Although the EU is currently working on the world’s first legislation on AI, BEUC’s concern is that it would take years before the AI Act could take effect, leaving consumers at risk of harm from a technology that is not sufficiently regulated. Ursula Pachl, deputy director-general of BEUC, warned that society was “currently not protected enough from the harm” that AI can cause. “There are serious concerns growing about how ChatGPT and similar chatbots might deceive and manipulate people. These AI systems need greater public scrutiny, and public authorities must reassert control over them,” she said. ChatGPT is already blocked in a number of countries, including China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia.
Impact on the AI Industry
The decision by the Italian authorities to block ChatGPT could have significant repercussions for the AI industry. This move could inspire other nations to follow Italy’s example and impose their own sanctions on AI-based services that violate consumer data protection laws. It could also cause tech companies to reconsider their data collection practices and prioritize compliance with data protection regulations.
As the use of artificial intelligence becomes more widespread, it is essential that we consider the implications of such systems and implement appropriate regulations to protect users’ personal data. The development of ethical AI standards and guidelines is essential to ensure that AI systems are developed and deployed in a manner that is responsible and in line with our values.
