Italy becomes the first country to ban the use of ChatGPT, the popular artificial intelligence chatbot developed by US startup OpenAI. The Italian Data Protection Authority has ordered OpenAI to stop processing Italian users’ data temporarily while investigating alleged violations of strict privacy rules in Europe. The decision is in response to an OpenAI data breach that allowed users to view the titles of other users’ conversations with the chatbot. ChatGPT has been controversial since its launch in November, with concerns over its potential use for cheating and spreading misinformation. The Italian observer also mentioned a data breach that took place at OpenAI on March 20, which partially exposed some users’ conversations and personal details, including email addresses and the last four digits of their credit cards. Microsoft-backed OpenAI risks a fine of up to 20 million euros ($21.8 million) or 4% of its global annual revenue if it does not take action to remedy the situation within 20 days.
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The UK recently announced plans to regulate AI, asking regulators in various sectors to apply existing rules to AI. The UK proposals set out some key principles that companies should follow when using AI in their products, including security, transparency, fairness, accountability, and competition. At this stage, the UK does not propose restrictions on ChatGPT or any other AI.
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Following Italy’s decision to restrict access to ChatGPT, the European Consumer Organization (BEUC) is calling on all authorities to investigate all major AI chatbots. The European Commission is currently discussing the world’s first artificial intelligence legislation, called the AI Law.
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However, the BEUC is concerned that it will be years before the AI Law takes effect, leaving consumers at risk of being harmed by a technology that is not sufficiently regulated. While Germany may follow Italy’s footsteps by blocking ChatGPT over data security concerns, the US has yet to propose any formal rules for oversight of AI technology.