Italy has temporarily banned ChatGPT over privacy issues
Do you know what a chatbot is? Of course, you do. After all, it has been quite a trending term since late 2022. For those unaware, chatbot refers to a computer program that holds conversations through a virtual and online chat room on behalf of an individual. Some of the most popular chatbots are Aivo, Mitsuku, Pandorabots and perhaps the most famous ChatGPT. It emerged as an AI content generator in November last year and has ever since been a rage. It is a free online chatbot launched by American AI research laboratory OpenAI (backed by Microsoft) to act as a supervised and reinforced learning technique. It is designed to effectively write almost any content, starting from essays to news articles, marketing plans to computer codes, all just from a simple prompt using natural, human-like language.
Apart from quality concerns, there are two other fears that have arose following the launch of ChatGPT. It may snatch away jobs from writers and editors and other creative personnel and it may be used by hackers for unethical purposes such as developing toxic malware, spreading misinformation and bias. Regardless, it has been quite a sensation since its debut.
However, recently, it has been banned by Italy, making it the first western country to do so. Okay, so why was it blocked? Well, as per Italian Data Protection Authority, they had some privacy concern regarding the advanced chatbot. In fact, an investigation has also been opened regarding the model’s AI application’s data collecting guidelines. It will analyse whether or not the chatbot abided by the General Data Protection Regulation that oversees the way we use, process and store personal data on the internet.
Moreover, another European agency named Garante, accused Microsoft of failing to verify the age of its users. As per the rule, individuals aged 13 years and above can use ChatGPT, but latest reports suggest it failed to do so. In fact, according to Garante, ChatGPT has no proper legal foundation to back the extensive collection and storage of personal data to "train" the chatbot. Not only that, it also claimed that there was a serious data breach on ChatGPT’s part, that leaked both user conversations and payment information.
What’s interesting is that, Italy’s ban has triggered immediate response from OpenAI within 20 days with proper remedies; failure to do which will lead to loss of four percent of its annual global revenue or pay a fine of 20 million euros.
Prior to Italy, countries like China, Hong Kong, Iran, North Korea, Russia and parts of Africa had also prohibited the use of ChatGPT on the grounds of OpenAI stealing personal data of their users. Not only that, recently, tech veteran Elon Musk also suggested that all such AI-based systems be temporarily suspended as the race to develop them worldwide was out of control.
Meanwhile, Microsoft has already laid out ChatGPT on Bing last month and is on its way to add it to the latest versions of its other applications such as Office and Outlook. Besides, Google’s chatbot Bard is now taking advantage of the situation and quickly taking over its competition. Apparently, users above 18 years of age are safe to use it. UK and Ireland have also shown concerns over ChatGPT and have temporarily restricted its use in their countries, until further developments. Interestingly, an European consumer advocacy group named BEUC has also asked the European Union to investigate the matter further.