ChatGPT, the new AI chatbot from OpenAI, has been geoblocked in Italy due to a crackdown on bots and other automated technology. The move follows suits with similar restrictions enacted in France and Germany earlier this year. Critics of these prohibitions argue that they stifle creativity and inhibit human interaction, while supporters say that bots ultimately must be controlled to prevent harm. It’s unclear how long ChatGPT will be restricted to Italians only, but for
The ChatGPT service had been processing the data of Italians for the past several years, but after the local data protection authority order, the company must discontinue this practice. The move is a major victory for those concerned about their privacy and protection from unwanted scrutiny.
OpenAI is a tech company that develops artificial intelligence technology. Recently, the Italian data protection authority, the Garante, requested that OpenAI disable access to users in Italy. The reason for this request is unknown. Although OpenAI does not have any official statement about this issue yet, it seems like the company regrets having to comply with the request and may eventually restore access to its Italian users.
Paying for a subscription to a chat service can be frustrating, but it can also be a necessary way to communicate with friends and family. It’s unfortunate that the ChatGPT Plus service is suspending subscriptions in Italy for now, but hopefully this will only temporary and those who have already purchased subscriptions will get refunds soon.
While OpenAI’s geoblock is effective at preventing most Italian users from accessing its ChatGPT service, a VPN can help circumvent the block. This workaround, however, has some caveats – firstly, if an account was originally registered in Italy it may no longer be accessible; secondly, creating a new account using a non-Italian IP address may be necessary for some users. Nevertheless, even with these limitations ChatGPT remains a useful resource for exploring Italian culture and language skills.
Openai’s statement to users trying to access ChatGPT from an Italian IP address reads, “Unfortunately, it looks like somebody is blocking access to the ChatGPT service from Italy.” Openai urges Italian users who are experiencing difficulty accessing the messaging platform to file a support ticket in order to get help resolving the issue.
The Garante announced that it has opened an investigation into ChatGPT, worried about potential breaches of the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation. It is concerned that OpenAI has processed Italians’ data unlawfully.
As OpenAI’s latest artificial intelligence model, GPT-4, continues to be rolled out, questions have arisen as to how the technology was developed. In particular, it has come under scrutiny for its alleged use of data sourced from Internet forums in order to train the AI. While the GDPR does require that personal data be properly collected and processed before being used by a business or organization, OpenAI has not been entirely open about what information it has used and how it acquired it. Additionally, given that GPT-4 is reportedly trained on public data sources such as Reddit posts and Wikipedia articles; those individuals whose personal data was used should have been notified.
The Garante’s criticism of Facebook is not new. In fact, it has been levied by the watchdog organization before. In a statement yesterday, the Garante said that there are “serious safety risks” associated with Facebook because minors can access the site without any age verification feature to prevent inappropriate access. The lack of such a feature means that children could be exposed to harmful content and scams on Facebook without parental supervision.
The regulator has raised concerns over the accuracy of the information the chatbot provides, especially as it pertains to banking and financial services. They believe that the chatbot should be updated so that it is more accurate and provides more detailed information.
One issue with AI chatbots is that they are known to sometimes produce erroneous information about named individuals. This flaw has been called “hallucinating,” and it looks problematic in the EU given the GDPR’s provisions safeguarding individuals’ rights over their information. It isn’t clear, however, whether OpenAI has a system in place where users can ask the chatbot to stop lying about them. If this does not exist at present, it might be a good idea for OpenAI to develop one in order to comply with the GDPR.
It seems that ChatGPT may not be in compliance with GDPR, as Facebook has still not responded to our request for comment. However, in its public statement to geoblocked users in Italy it claims that they are committed to protecting people’s privacy and offer the chatbot in compliance with GDPR and other privacy laws. This is reassuring news for those who are concerned about their online privacy.
The company, Garante, has stated that it is working to reinstate users’ access to the ChatGPT platform as soon as possible. Many of the users who spoke with Garante said that they found the service helpful for everyday tasks, and look forward to having it back up and running again. While there is no timeframe given for when this will happen, it is clear that Garante is committed to restoring all access as soon as possible.
OpenAI says it is still in the midst of complying with GDPR and is working to address all of the concerns raised by the Garante. However, given that GDPR covers a wide range of issues, it’s not clear how OpenAI will be able to fully comply with all requirements.
Privacy-centric design is becoming increasingly important as data processing becomes more automated and intrusive. The pan-EU regulation, called the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), calls for data protection by design and default, meaning privacy-centric processes and principles are supposed to be embedded into a system that processes people’s data from the start. This approach is opposite to traditional data handling practices, where data is often grabbed without any thought given to how it will be used or abused. Implementing privacy-centric design principles into systems can help protect individuals’ privacy and ensure that their personal information is handled responsibly.
Today, many organizations are still struggling to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). If a company is found to have breached the GDPR regulations, they may face serious penalties. For example, a confirmed GDPR breach could lead to 4% of a data processor’s annual global turnover (or €20M, whichever is greater). Companies that are not yet compliant with the GDPR may want to take measures such as creating an internal data governance program and conducting privacy impact assessments.
In the age of AI and globalization, ChatGPT is an experimental chatbot that aims to bridge cultures through conversation. It has raised concerns among privacy advocates due to its lack of GDPR readiness, exposing it to the highest level of GDPR scrutiny from all member countries’ data protection authorities.
Last but not least – this is a wake up call that #GDPR, #Article8 Charter, data protection law in general & particularly in the EU IS APPLICABLE TO AI SYSTEMS today, right now, and it has important guardrails in place, if they are understood & applied. 18/🧵
— Dr. Gabriela Zanfir-Fortuna (@gabrielazanfir) March 31, 2023
AI systems, like any other technology that collects or uses personal data, must be operated responsibly and abide by relevant GDPR regulations. However, due to the incredible potential of AI systems, it is especially important for companies to understand the guardrails in place specifically for AI systems in order to ensure proper safeguarding of user data.
Gabriela Zanfir-Fortuna, MD is a world-renowned expert in Cardiovascular Medicine. She has worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life for those living with cardiovascular disease. Her work has helped to change the way patients and clinicians think about
