Italy’s data protection authority temporarily banned OpenAI’s ChatGPT chatbot and launched a probe over the AI tool's suspected breach of privacy laws.
In a provision released last week, the watchdog alleges that ChatGPT has been illegally collecting user data and failing to protect minors. The regulator claims there's no “legal basis” for OpenAI's mass collection and storage of data for training ChatGPT's model and that the app is not always processing the information correctly.
Furthermore, the Garante also maintained that OpenAi did not implement sufficient measures to ensure that children aged 13 and below are prevented from seeing “absolutely unsuitable” answers.
“Although - according to the terms published by OpenAI - the service is aimed at people over the age of 13, the authority points out that the absence of any filter for verifying the age of users exposes minors to absolutely unsuitable answers compared to the their degree of development and self-awareness,” the regulator said.
The authorities gave OpenAi 20 days to address the issues, otherwise, the company could face a fine of up to 20 million euros ($21.7 million) or 4% of its annual turnover.
Italy’s ban comes after a nonprofit research organization Center for AI and Digital Policy (CAIDP) filed a complaint with the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) asking the agency to investigate OpenAI and suspend future releases of large language models until they meet guidelines on transparency, fairness and clarity.
A group of scientists and tech industry leaders published an open letter calling for companies such as OpenAI to immediately pause for at least six months the training of AI systems more powerful than GPT-4. The letter cites an “out-of-control race to develop and deploy ever more powerful digital minds that no one — not even their creators — can understand, predict, or reliably control.”
“AI labs and independent experts should use this pause to jointly develop and implement a set of shared safety protocols for advanced AI design and development that are rigorously audited and overseen by independent outside experts,” the letter says.
Last week, Europol warned about the potential misuse of OpenAI’s chatbot ChatGPT in phishing attempts, disinformation and cybercrime.
