After Italy, Germany might block ChatGPT over data security concernshere is all we know

By Divyanshi SharmaChatGPT launched in November last year as an experimental AI chatbot that quickly became popular for answering in a human-like manner. Initially running on OpenAI’s model GPT- 3.5, ChatGPT was soon being used by people for writing essays, giving content creation ideas, simplifying complex information, composing poetry, and so on. ChatGPT, in order to serve you better, saves your conversations and has the ability to recall them as well. OpenAI’s privacy policy about the chatbot also states that the company ‘collects personal information such as name, email address, and payment information when necessary for business purposes’. The Italian government recently banned ChatGPT after accusing it of collecting users’ data ‘unlawfully’.

Germany to ban ChatGPT?

It is being reported that Germany might soon follow Italy’s footsteps and ban the use of ChatGPT in the country. A Reuters report, originally attributed to the Handelsblatt newspaper, quotes the German commissioner for data protection saying that the country might ban the viral AI chatbot due to data security concerns.

Referring to Italy’s ban of ChatGPT, Ulrich Kelber said, “In principle, such action is also possible in Germany.” He further added that this would fall under state jurisdiction and didn’t really divulge any details about such a plan.

The report further mentions that Germany requested Italy to share further information about the basis of its ChatGPT ban. In fact, countries like France and Ireland are also pondering over Italy’s ChatGPT ban and wish to discuss the country’s findings.

“We are following up with the Italian regulator to understand the basis for their action and we will coordinate with all EU data protection authorities in relation to this matter,” a spokesperson for Ireland’s Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) was quoted by Reuters.

Italy’s ChatGPT ban

The government of Italy recently banned ChatGPT temporarily, citing privacy concerns. OpenAI, ChatGPT’s parent company, was asked to restrict the chatbot’s access for users in Italy after the country’s data protection authority accused it of not having a proper age-verification system in place and ‘unlawfully collecting personal data from users’.

A New York Times report revealed that Italy’s data protection authority has accused ChatGPT’s parent company OpenAI of ‘unlawfully collecting personal data from users’. The Italian government’s watchdog also cited ChatGPT’s data breach that dates back to March 20. The breach was acknowledged by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman as well and he had apologised for the same.

OpenAI has been given 20 days to show the material and the ‘possible remedies’ before the Italian government makes a final decision about the fate of the AI chatbot in the country.

OpenAI talks about AI regulations

The New York Times report quoted OpenAI as saying that they actively work to ‘reduce personal data in training their AI systems like ChatGPT because they want their AI to learn about the world, not about private individuals’.

“We also believe that A.I. regulation is necessary,” the company added.

OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman also reacted to the ban via Twitter and called Italy one of his favourite countries in the world. He wrote, “We of course defer to the Italian government and have ceased offering ChatGPT in Italy (though we think we are following all privacy laws). Italy is one of my favorite countries and I look forward to visiting again soon.”