Italy’s data protection authority issued a temporary ban on ChatGPT, a popular AI language model developed by OpenAI, on Friday. This marks the first instance of a government blocking access to the chatbot due to privacy concerns.
Reasons for the Ban
The Italian regulator claims that OpenAI unlawfully collected personal data from users and lacked an age-verification system, potentially exposing minors to inappropriate content. While ChatGPT is also unavailable in China, North Korea, Russia, and Iran, those restrictions stem from OpenAI’s decision not to offer the service in those countries.
Policy Challenges for AI Developers
This ban highlights the emerging policy challenges faced by AI developers like OpenAI. While ChatGPT has impressed users with its humanlike conversations, essay writing, and coding capabilities, it has also raised concerns about misinformation, job displacement, and broader societal risks.
Over 1,000 technology leaders and researchers recently called for a moratorium on the development of advanced AI systems to establish safety policies. The Center for A.I. and Digital Policy, an advocacy group promoting the ethical use of technology, urged the U.S. Federal Trade Commission to prevent OpenAI from releasing new commercial versions of ChatGPT.
OpenAI’s Response and Potential Fines
Italian regulators demanded that OpenAI block Italian internet users’ access to ChatGPT until the company provides additional information. OpenAI has 20 days to submit the requested material and potential remedies before a final decision on ChatGPT’s future in Italy can be made.
OpenAI faces possible fines of up to 20 million euros (about $22 million) or 4 percent of its worldwide annual revenue due to a March 20 data breach that exposed users’ conversations and payment details. In response, OpenAI has disabled ChatGPT for Italian users and emphasized its commitment to privacy protection.
Global Reactions to the Ban
The Italian ban has caught the attention of other data protection authorities, such as the Irish data protection commission and the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office. These agencies are monitoring the situation and are prepared to challenge non-compliance with data protection laws.
Consumer advocacy group BEUC has called on EU and national authorities to investigate ChatGPT and similar chatbots, expressing concerns about the potential harm unregulated AI technology could cause.
