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Open AI’s Chatgpt is banned in Italy. The US start-up OpenAI, which is backed by Microsoft, created a model that has raised privacy concerns, according to the Italian data-protection authority. Italy has become the first Western country to immediately block and investigate the popularly working advanced chatbot.
Despite these issues, millions of people have used ChatGPT since its launch in November 2022. The technology can provide human-like language responses and simulate other writing styles by drawing on a database from 2021. Microsoft has invested heavily in the technology and recently integrated it with Bing. It also plans to include it in its Office apps, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. However, concerns have been raised about the risks of AI, including potential job loss and the spread of misinformation and bias.
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Tech leaders, including Elon Musk, have called for a suspension of these types of AI systems due to fears that the race to develop them is out of control. In response to these concerns, the Italian watchdog has not only blocked OpenAI’s chatbot, but it is also investigating whether it complies with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which governs the processing, storage, and use of personal data. Furthermore, the watchdog has reported a data breach involving user conversations and payment information on 20 March.
BEUC, a consumer advocacy group, has filed a complaint in the US and urged EU and national authorities, including data-protection watchdogs, to investigate ChatGPT and similar chatbots. They are concerned that the technology is not sufficiently regulated, and the EU’s proposed legislation on AI, the first of its kind, would take years to take effect. BEUC’s deputy director general, Ursula Pachl, has warned that AI systems like ChatGPT pose a risk of deception and manipulation, and greater public scrutiny and control by public authorities are necessary. Several countries, including China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia, have already blocked ChatGPT.
Furthermore, talking about the Google’s rival AI chatbot, Bard is now available to selective users those are above 18 years old due to similar concerns over privacy.
The data-protection authority of Italy has given 20 days to OpenAI to address their worries. In the absence of any explanation, they will face a fine of €20 million or up to 4% of annual revenues.
The Irish data protection commission is coordinating with all EU data protection authorities to understand the basis for the ban, and the UK’s independent data regulator, the Information Commissioner’s Office, stated that it would support AI development while also enforcing data protection laws. Dan Morgan, from SecurityScorecard, highlighted that the ban emphasizes the importance of regulatory compliance for companies operating in Europe.
