The European nation, Italy has become the first Western country to block advanced chatbot ChatGPT. The Italian data-protection authority had noticed there were privacy concerns relating to the model, which was created by US start-up OpenAI and is backed by Microsoft.

Italy has taken the unprecedented step of blocking the advanced chatbot ChatGPT, making it the first Western country to do so.

The Italian data-protection authority raised privacy concerns over the model, which was developed by US start-up OpenAI and is supported by Microsoft.

The regulator has banned the use of the chatbot and launched an investigation into OpenAI, effective immediately. While OpenAI claims to comply with privacy laws, the regulator has cited concerns over the use of the internet as the database for the chatbot, which has been used by millions of people since its launch in November 2022.

ChatGPT can respond to questions using natural language and replicate other writing styles. Microsoft recently integrated the chatbot into Bing search engine, after investing billions of dollars in its development.

‍The Italian data-protection authority is investigating OpenAI and has given the company 20 days to address its concerns or face a fine of €20 million ($21.7m) or up to 4% of its annual revenues.

The regulator cited a data breach involving user conversations and payment information and the mass collection and storage of personal data as reasons for the ban. It also noted that the app exposes minors to inappropriate content.

The Irish data protection commission is following up with the Italian regulator to understand the basis for the ban, and the UK's independent data regulator said it will support developments in AI but is ready to challenge non-compliance with data protection laws.

A complaint filed in the US has prompted the consumer advocacy group BEUC to call on EU and national authorities, including data-protection watchdogs, to investigate ChatGPT and similar chatbots.‍

The EU is currently developing the first AI legislation, but BEUC is concerned that it could take years before it is implemented, potentially leaving consumers at risk from insufficiently regulated AI. Ursula Pachl, deputy director general of BEUC, warned that AI posed significant harm to society, and that greater public scrutiny and control were necessary.

ChatGPT has already been blocked in several countries, including China, Iran, North Korea and Russia. OpenAI, which created the chatbot, said it had disabled ChatGPT for users in Italy at the request of the Italian data protection regulator, and believed it complied with GDPR and other privacy laws.

OpenAI however added that it looked forward to making the chatbot available in Italy again ‘soon’, and to working closely with the Italian regulator to educate them on how its AI systems are built and used.

credit: Ethical Hacking University

image credit: Metaroids