Italy orders ChatGPT ban over data privacy breach

In February, Replika.ai, the chatbot app, was prohibited by the regulator due to its failure to adequately handle data and protect minors.

Italy's Data Protection Authority, known as the GPDP, has recently ordered an effective ban on OpenAI's AI chatbot ChatGPT, citing concerns over the "unlawful collection of personal data." The regulator has demanded that OpenAI immediately stop collecting personal information from Italian users until the company amends its data collection practices to comply with Italian data protection laws.

In a press release issued by the GPDP, the regulator stated that OpenAI lacks lawful justification for collecting personal data from Italian users. Additionally, the regulator expressed concerns about the lack of mechanisms in place to prevent underage users from accessing the service. According to the GPDP, this puts minors at risk of exposure to unsuitable content that may not be appropriate for their level of development and self-awareness. As a result, the GPDP has deemed OpenAI's collection practices as a violation of Italian data protection laws.

This is not the first time that the Italian data watchdog has taken such action against an AI chatbot. In February of this year, the GPDP banned the chatbot app Replika.ai, citing similar concerns about the personal relationships that some users had developed with the chatbot. Many users expressed distress after the company recently removed the option for erotic roleplay, further prompting the GPDP to take action.

The ban on ChatGPT serves as a reminder of the importance of complying with data protection laws, particularly when it comes to the use of AI technologies that collect and process personal data. The GPDP's actions underscore the need for companies to ensure that their data collection practices are transparent, lawful, and respectful of users' privacy rights.