ChatGPT is banned in Italy for privacy reasons

The artificial intelligence tool ChatGPT was temporarily banned in Italy on Friday, with the first known case of the chatbot being blocked by a government order.

Italy’s data protection authority said OpenAI, the California-based company that makes ChatGPT, illegally collects users’ personal data and has failed to implement an age verification system to prevent minors from be exposed to illicit material.

Italy is the first government to ban ChatGPT due to privacy concerns. In China, North Korea, Russia and Iran, the service is unavailable because OpenAI has decided not to make it accessible.

Italy’s move is a sign of emerging policy challenges for advanced AI developers following the release of ChatGPT. The program dazzled users with its ability to write essays, engage in human conversations, and perform more complex tasks like writing computer code, but it sounded the alarm over the spread of misinformation. , effects on employment and wider risks to society.

This week, more than 1,000 technology leaders and researchers called for a moratorium on the development of the most advanced AI systems so that safety policies can be put in place. The Center for AI and Digital Policy, an advocacy group for the ethical use of technology, has asked the US Federal Trade Commission to block OpenAI from releasing new commercial versions of ChatGPT.

In Italy, regulators have asked OpenAI to block Internet users in the country from accessing ChatGPT until the company provides additional information. The company has 20 days to provide the agency with the material and possible remedies before a final decision can be made on the future of the product in the country.

Regulators cited a March 20 data breach that revealed conversations and payment details for some users. The agency said OpenAI could be fined up to 20 million euros (about $22 million), or 4% of its global annual revenue.

In a statement, OpenAI said it has disabled ChatGPT for users in Italy and is committed to protecting people’s privacy.

“We are actively working to reduce personal data in the training of our AI systems like ChatGPT because we want our AI to learn about the world, not individuals,” the company said. “We also believe that regulation of AI is necessary.”

As of 5 p.m. Friday in Italy, the chatbot had not yet been informed that it would be blocked in the country. When asked by a user if it would be banned in Italy due to privacy concerns, ChatGPT replied, “There should be no worries.”

“I am an artificial intelligence language model that can be accessed from anywhere in the world as long as there is an internet connection,” the chatbot said.

Emma Bubola contributed report.