ChatGPT was banned by the Italian data-protection authority in April.
OpenAI, the company behind the popular artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot, ChatGPT, has recently taken steps to address privacy concerns raised by the Italian data-protection authority, Garante. These concerns led to a temporary ban of the AI application in Italy earlier this month. OpenAI has since implemented new measures to ensure user privacy and regain access to the Italian market.
Privacy Policy and Age Verification
In response to Garante’s concerns, OpenAI has made its privacy policy accessible to users before registration, allowing potential users to review the policy before signing up. Additionally, the company has introduced a new age verification tool to ensure that users are 13 years or older, as required by the platform’s policies.
New Measures for EU Users
OpenAI has also created a form specifically for European Union (EU) users, enabling them to exercise their right to object to the use of their personal data for training the AI models. This move allows EU users to have more control over their data while using the chatbot.
Garante’s Response
While the Italian regulator has welcomed the measures implemented by OpenAI, it has also called for further compliance. Garante emphasized the need for an age verification system and an information campaign to inform Italians about the incident and their right to opt-out from processing their personal data for training algorithms.
Ongoing Collaboration
The Italian authority will continue its fact-finding activities related to OpenAI under the European Data Protection Board’s ad-hoc task force. OpenAI expressed appreciation for Garante’s collaborative approach and stated that constructive discussions would continue.
Widespread Adoption of ChatGPT
Since its launch in November 2022, millions of people have used ChatGPT, which can answer questions using natural, human-like language and mimic various writing styles. Microsoft, a key investor in OpenAI, has spent billions of dollars on the technology and recently integrated it into Bing. Furthermore, the tech giant plans to embed a version of ChatGPT into its Office apps, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Competitor Update
Google’s rival AI chatbot, Bard, is now available, albeit only to specific users over the age of 18, showcasing the growing competition in the AI chatbot market.