EU Threatens Microsoft with Fine Over AI Data in Bing

The European Commission has demanded that Microsoft provide information regarding the use of generative AI in Bing, warning of a potential fine if the corporation fails to comply.

We compel Microsoft to provide information under the Digital Services Act on generative AI risks on Bing.

Bing may pose risks linked to generative AI, such as so-called ‘hallucinations’, deepfakes, as well as the automated manipulation of services that can mislead voters.#DSA

— European Commission (@EU_Commission) May 17, 2024

“Bing may pose risks linked to generative AI, such as so-called ‘hallucinations’, deepfakes, as well as the automated manipulation of services that can mislead,” the statement reads.

The focus is on two Bing features: the Copilot assistant and the Image Creator generator, the latter of which was introduced in March 2023.

The request is made under the EU Digital Services Act, with Microsoft required to respond by May 27.

The European Commission warned that ignoring the request could result in a fine of 1% of the company’s annual profit or global turnover, as well as penalties up to 5% of its average daily profit.

The corporation may face financial penalties for providing incorrect, incomplete, or misleading information. According to Cointelegraph, a 1% fine would amount to over $2 billion for Microsoft.

In March 2024, the corporation began blocking requests in Copilot containing trigger phrases for generating obscene images.

Earlier, Microsoft engineer Shane Jones described the chatbot as dangerous.