Chatbot ChatGPT has been reactivated in Italy after its maker OpenAI resolved issues raised by Italy’s data protection authority, the authority and the company confirmed Friday.
Microsoft Corp.-backed OpenAI had taken ChatGPT offline in Italy last month after Italy’s data protection authority (Garante) temporarily banned the chatbot and launched an investigation into alleged privacy violations by the artificial intelligence app.
Key Points:
- OpenAI has stated they will be offering an “Age Verification” tool in Italy during the Sign-up process to restrict users under the age of 13 from accessing ChatGPT.
- A new “OpenAI Personal Data Removal Request” form has been enabled to allow users to have a right to object to the usage of their personal data by the OpenAI models.
- OpenAI has stated they will be providing greater visibility of privacy policy.
Garante had given OpenAI a deadline of Sunday to address its concerns so that the chatbot could resume operations in the country.
Last month, Garante said ChatGPT had “no legal basis justifying the massive collection and storage of personal data” to “train” the chatbot.
Garante had also accused OpenAI of failing to verify the age of ChatGPT users, who are supposed to be at least 13 years old. OpenAI said it would offer a tool to verify the age of users in Italy when they sign up.
The company said Friday it will make its privacy policy and user content opt-out form more visible.
It will also provide a new form for European Union users to exercise their right to object to the use of personal data to train their models, a company spokesman said.
The form requires individuals who wish to object to the use of their data to provide detailed personal information, including evidence of data processing, via appropriate prompts.
Garante acknowledges the steps taken to combine technological progress with respect for people’s rights and hopes the company will continue along this path of compliance with European data protection regulations.
Italy was the first Western European country to restrict ChatGPT, but its rapid development has drawn the attention of lawmakers and regulators in several countries.
A committee of EU lawmakers agreed Thursday on new rules that would force companies that use generative AI tools like ChatGPT to disclose copyrighted material used to develop their systems.
Because of Garante’s interest in ChatGPT, the European Data Protection Board, the body that brings together Europe’s national data protection commissioners, set up a working group on the chatbot earlier this month.
Garante said it will continue its investigation of ChatGPT and cooperate with the special working group.
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