Italy suspends the AI software ChatGPT due to privacy risks

The Italian government has suspended the ChatGPT due to recent data breach incidents across Europe. Based on reports, the popular artificial intelligence (AI) software could have allegedly violated the strict European Union data protection rules.

The Italian Data Protection Authority disclosed that it took provisional actions until the AI software respects its users’ privacy. Italy will limit the company’s ability to process Italian users’ information.

 

Italy is the first nation to suspend the popular AI software nationwide.

 

The United States-based OpenAI announced last week that it had deactivated ChatGPT for Italian access to comply with Italy’s request. The company stated that they should grant the wish of the Italian government to respect European privacy laws and allow the users to trust the AI software.

Italy became the first democratic nation that imposes a nationwide restriction against a mainstream AI platform despite some schools and universities starting to block the ChatGPT. Numerous academic institutions have blocked ChatGPT because of student plagiarism issues.

The restriction impacts the web version of ChatGPT since users employ it as a writing assistant. However, the limitations will not affect the software apps from companies that already acquired licenses with OpenAI to utilise a similar technology driving the chatbot.

According to the president of Italy’s privacy watchdog agency, once artificial intelligence impinges on a person’s self-determination, it could pose a massive threat. Moreover, the watchdog president has also emphasised that the platform lacks filters for users below 13 years old.

The CEO of OpenAI will start a six-continent trip next month to discuss each destination the technology with the users and developers. This mission will go to Brussels to meet with the European Union lawmakers and negotiate the new rules to limit high-risk artificial intelligence tools.

A European consumer group informed the EU authorities and the bloc’s 27 member countries to review AI chatbots like the ChatGPT. The European group emphasised that it would take years to legislate the AI program.

Law enforcement agencies should act now to keep consumers from possible risks.