The advent of Artificial Intelligence has provided us with a variety of opportunities for us to get smarter and more efficient in our day to day lives. One such application of AI is Microsoft’s ChatGPT, a conversational chatbot that recently reached 100 million monthly active users since its commercial release in November 2022. However, due to data security concerns, Italian government agencies have temporarily banned the use of the chatbot. Germany, France, and Ireland are currently considering the same, with Germany already evaluating the evidence behind the ban move.
The Italian government has raised concerns over the accuracy of the information ChatGPT produces, with instances of leaked chat titles and payment-related information surfacing last month. As per European data laws, online services should deploy an automated software mechanism to identify and block those under the age of 13 from using the service. ChatGPT, however, does not have such checks in place, leading to the ban.
Sweden, on the other hand, has no plans to impose a ban on the usage of ChatGPT, nor contact the Italian watchdog for their apprehensions. Ireland’s Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) has given its staff members a two-week timeframe to study and analyze the findings, after which it could also impose a ban on the use of OpenAI product/s.
In conclusion, Microsoft’s ChatGPT has been temporarily banned by Italian government agencies due to data security concerns. Germany is currently reviewing the evidence behind the ban move, and other countries such as France and Ireland are considering the same. Sweden has no plans to ban ChatGPT, while Ireland is studying the findings and may impose a ban in the near future. The move was made after the Italian government was questioned by some elected representatives about the accuracy of info that surfaced last month, leaking chat titles and payment-related info.