Italy blocks ChatGPT over privacy concerns.

Italy’s data protection regulator ordered ChatGPT to be blocked, accusing OpenAI of ‘unlawful collection of personal data’.

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According to a GPDP press release, the company has no legal basis for collecting personal data.

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The regulator also accused OpenAI of lacking a mechanism to prevent children from accessing the service. In GPDP’s view, the tool exposes minors to responses entirely unsuitable for their level of development and self-awareness.

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Authorities ordered OpenAI to immediately stop collecting Italian users’ data until it changes its methods for obtaining personal information.

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OpenAI has 20 days to comply with GPDP’s requirements. Otherwise, it faces a fine of €20 million or 4% of annual turnover.

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An OpenAI spokesperson confirmed the block. The company also rejected the allegations made by Italian authorities.

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“We have disabled ChatGPT for users in Italy at the request of the local Garante [regulatory authority]. We are committed to protecting people’s privacy and believe we comply with the GDPR and other privacy laws,” said a company spokesperson.

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As of publication, ForkLog AI could not access ChatGPT using an Italian VPN. The firm pledged to refund March charges to premium subscribers of the chatbot.

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In addition, the regulator mentioned a recent ChatGPT outage, during which some user data was exposed in a data breach. However, the regulator did not bring formal charges on this matter.

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Earlier GPDP announced the ban on the Replika app — a builder of personal chatbots. The regulator accused the service’s developers of similar violations.

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In March, a technology ethics group urged the US Federal Trade Commission to conduct an investigation into OpenAI.

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In the same month, more than 1,000 industry experts urged to pause development of large language models for six months.