ChatGPT has been allowed to resume operations in Italy after addressing privacy concerns raised by the country’s data protection agency, Garante.
The ban on ChatGPT was imposed on March 31 after Garante suspected the chatbot of violating the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requirements set by the European Union (EU).
ChatGPT was reinstated on April 29, and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced that the chatbot was “available in Italy again.” However, the steps taken by the company to comply with the transparency demands of the Italian regulator have not been revealed.
To address the issues raised by the regulator, ChatGPT had to disclose its data processing practices and implement age-gating measures and other legal requirements. Garante imposed the temporary ban after the chatbot suffered a data breach on March 20, as it sought to ensure that ChatGPT complied with GDPR requirements.
The prompt action by ChatGPT to comply with local authorities has been widely welcomed by users globally. The temporary ban on ChatGPT in Italy initially raised concerns about the possibility of a wave of AI regulations.
However, the willingness of the company to address the issues raised by the regulator and comply with the GDPR requirements is seen as an overall positive move.
The EU is working on a new bill to regulate AI developments. The bill aims to classify AI tools according to perceived risk levels based on their capability.
The risk levels range from minimal to unacceptable. The bill does not intend to ban high-risk tools but will subject them to stricter transparency requirements. Generative AI tools, including ChatGPT and Midjourney, will have to disclose the use of copyrighted materials in their AI training if the bill is signed into law.
ChatGPT Italy
The reinstatement of ChatGPT in Italy highlights the importance of complying with data protection regulations and GDPR requirements.
The willingness of OpenAI to work with the Italian regulator and take the necessary steps to address the concerns raised shows that companies must prioritize user privacy and comply with local regulations.
The EU’s proposed bill on AI regulation highlights the need for companies to be transparent in their use of AI tools and comply with GDPR requirements to avoid regulatory hurdles.