Italy has temporarily banned ChatGPT, an advanced chatbot powered by artificial intelligence that can answer questions using human-like language. The technology can also mimic writing styles based on internet search algorithms dating as far back as 2021, according to the BBC.
The bot is “trained” to mimic human responses by analyzing large quantities of data, some of which may be owned by internet users, according to Reuters. The Italian watchdog agency, known as Garante, not only blocked the Microsoft-based company, but is also investigating whether it complied with General Data Protection Regulation, a law regarding data protection and privacy in the European Union. Garante accused ChatGPT of “an absence of any legal basis that justifies the massive collection and storage and personal data,” according to Reuters.
According to the BBC, Garante reported on March 20 that ChatGPT had experienced a data breach regarding user conversations and payment information. Furthermore, the watchdog said that as the app is unable to verify users ages, it “exposes minors to absolutely unsuitable answers compared to their degree of development and awareness,” as reported by the BBC. ChatGPT has until April 30 to clearly lay out how it will address Garante’s security concerns, or risk a fine of $21.7 million, according to the BBC.
According to Reuters, Italy is the first Western country to ban a chatbot powered by artificial intelligence. Other European countries, like Germany, could soon follow in Italy’s footsteps. According to Reuters, the German commissioner told a German newspaper that the country is considering blocking ChatGPT or similar data security concerns. Regulators in Spain and Sweden, however, have no plan to ban the technology. But, they did not rule out the potential for a future investigation.
Asia London Palomba
Asia London Palomba is a trilingual freelance journalist from Rome, Italy. In the past, her work on culture, travel, and history has been published in The Boston Globe, Atlas Obscura, The Christian Science Monitor, and Grub Street, New York Magazine's food section. In her free time, Asia enjoys traveling home to Italy to spend time with family and friends, drinking Hugo Spritzes, and making her nonna's homemade cavatelli.