In late March, ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence chatbox developed by OpenAI was ordered to temporally stop processing Italian users’ personal data over alleged violations of laws such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The ‘Garante’ (Italian data protection authority) added that the platform did not verify the ages of minors in order to prevent them from accessing the chatbot.
However, The Garante have given US company OpenAI until the 30th April to comply with specific privacy requirements paving the way for lifting the chatbot’s temporary ban in the country.
As it proceeds with its investigation, the Italian regulator ordered Open AI to verify users’ age before they use the AI chatbot and explain on its website how and why it processes people’s data for ChatGPT.
The U.S. company will have to ask users for their consent or legitimate interest to use their data and make it possible for people to request to correct or delete their personal data.
OpenAI will also have to conduct an information campaign via Italian television, radio, websites and newspapers by May 14 to inform people how it uses their personal data to train its ChatGPT algorithm.
A member of the Italian Data Protection Authority said in a press release, “only then, the reasons for urgency having ceased to exist, will the Authority suspend the temporary restriction order on the processing of Italian users’ data taken against the U.S. company, and ChatGPT will be able to become accessible again from Italy.”
OpenAI will also have to submit a detailed plan by May 31 before September that seeks to implement a solid system to ensure minors younger than 13 and without parental consent cannot access ChatGPT.
The Garante’s decision comes as the European Data Protection Board (the umbrella organization of Europe’s data protection authorities) is scheduled to meet on Thursday.
An OpenAI spokesperson said, “we are happy that the Italian Garante is reconsidering their decision, and we look forward to working with them to make ChatGPT available to our customers in Italy again soon.”
Sources: Politico
