Aka Ekene, PBA Journalism MenteeThe Italian National Authority for Personal Data Protection has made noteworthy strides in blocking the popular Al tool by OpenAl, ChatGPT, citing the existence of privacy concerns that center around the model. Created by US start-up OpenAI and backed by Microsoft, ChatGPT has become a widespread phenomenon since its launch in November 2022, as millions of individuals worldwide have utilized its features to ask questions in natural language and even mimic other writing styles, among other capabilities.
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However, the Italian regulatory body has taken a strong stance against the platform, disclosing that a data breach occurred on March 20 which led to the exposure of users’ conversations and payment information of subscribers to the paid service. Furthermore, the watchdog has pointed out various flaws in ChatGPT’s design, including the absence of any measures to filter the age of users, exposing minors to unsuitable responses that do not align with their level of development and awareness.
Additionally, the body has questioned the legal basis for the mass collection and storage of personal data for the purpose of training algorithms underlying the operation of the platform, highlighting the need for compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which regulates how businesses can utilize, process, and store personal data. The Italian data protection authority has launched an investigation into OpenAl to determine its degree of adherence to the GDPR and will require the company to communicate within 20 days regarding the measures taken to address the concerns raised or risk a fine of up to 4% of its annual worldwide turnover.
Notably, Microsoft has integrated ChatGPT into its Bing and Edge browser, indicating its eagerness to leverage the technology’s popularity. The software giant has also disclosed its intentions to embed a version of the technology in its Office apps, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, cementing its commitment to the expansion of the technology.
Despite the technological advancements that ChatGPT represents, there remain concerns about the potential risks of artificial intelligence, including the perpetuation of bias and misinformation as well as the threat to employment. These concerns have prompted influential figures in the tech industry, including Elon Musk, to advocate for the suspension of Al systems, citing fears that the race to develop such technology may be spiraling out of control.
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