Italy's data protection agency, known as Garante, has set out a list of demands for OpenAI to meet in order to address the agency's concerns over the ChatGPT chatbot and allow the artificial intelligence service to resume in the country. This comes almost two weeks after Microsoft Corp-backed OpenAI took ChatGPT offline in Italy due to temporary restrictions on its personal data processing and an ongoing probe into a suspected breach of privacy rules.
In a statement issued on April 12, Garante laid out a set of "concrete" demands to be met by OpenAI by April 30. The agency stated that only when these demands are met, the authority will suspend the provisional restrictions on the use of data of Italian users and ChatGPT will once again become accessible in Italy. OpenAI has welcomed the agency's move and expressed its willingness to work with Garante to make ChatGPT available to its customers in Italy again soon, according to a spokesperson's statement to Reuters.
Italy was the first Western European country to curb ChatGPT, but its rapid development has attracted attention from lawmakers and regulators in several countries. Many experts believe that new regulations are needed to govern artificial intelligence (AI) due to its potential impact on national security, jobs, and education.
Garante has outlined several demands for OpenAI to address. Firstly, OpenAI is required to inform users in Italy of the "methods and logic" behind the processing of data necessary for ChatGPT to operate. This means providing transparent information about how data is collected, used, and processed by the AI chatbot.
Secondly, Garante has asked OpenAI to provide tools that enable individuals, including non-users, to request the correction of personal data inaccurately generated by the service or its deletion if correction is not possible. This demand emphasizes the importance of data accuracy and individual control over personal information.
Thirdly, Garante has requested that OpenAI allow non-users to easily and accessibly oppose the processing of their personal data to run its algorithms. This means giving individuals the option to opt-out of having their data used by ChatGPT or any other AI applications without unnecessary complexity or barriers.
In addition, Garante has asked OpenAI to introduce an age verification system by the end of September, which can exclude users under the age of 13 from accessing ChatGPT. This measure aims to protect minors and ensure that the use of AI chatbots is appropriate for different age groups.
Garante has also stated that it will continue investigating potential breaches of data protection rules by OpenAI and reserves the right to impose any other measures needed at the conclusion of its ongoing probe.
The Italian move on ChatGPT has attracted the interest of other privacy watchdogs in Europe, with Spain's data protection agency requesting the European Union's privacy watchdog to evaluate privacy concerns surrounding ChatGPT. In February, the Italian regulator banned AI chatbot company Replika from using the personal data of users in Italy, citing risks to minors and emotionally fragile people.
The demands set by Garante highlight the growing concerns over the use of AI and data privacy. As AI technologies continue to advance, it is crucial for companies like OpenAI to prioritize transparency, accuracy, and individual control over personal data. Meeting these demands will be crucial for OpenAI to resume the service of ChatGPT in Italy and ensure compliance with data protection regulations. As the field of AI evolves, it is likely that more regulatory measures will be introduced to govern its use and protect user privacy.