ChatGPT returns to Italy after ban
ChatGPT maker OpenAI has restored access to its service in Italy, saying it has made changes to satisfy Italian regulators. “ChatGPT is available again to our users in Italy,” the statement read published by The Associated Press and also sent to The edge. “We are excited to welcome them back and we remain committed to protecting their privacy.”
OpenAI said it had “addressed or clarified” the issues raised by Italy’s data protection authority (or GPDP) at the end of March. The GPDP accused ChatGPT of unlawfully collecting user data and failing to prevent underage users from accessing inappropriate material, leading OpenAI to block ChatGPT in the country. The company was given 20 days to address the issues and regulators said mid-April that ChatGPT could return if it did on April 30.
Among the changes is OpenAI linked The edge Unpleasant a new form which EU users can submit to delete personal data under the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). It also says that a new tool will verify users’ age when signing up in Italy, and it has been published a help center article outlining how OpenAI and ChatGPT collect personal information, including information on how to contact the Data Protection Officer authorized by the GDPR.
The GPDP did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The edge. In a statement published by APit said that it “welcomes the measures that OpenAI has implemented”, and urged OpenAI to comply with further age verification changes and a publicity campaign to inform Italians of their right to opt out of data collection.
So far, none of these changes seem to significantly change how ChatGPT works in Italy. But OpenAI will almost certainly face further challenges. Spain, Canada and other countries have opened or are considering investigations to investigate its practices, including how it collects training data for its large language model and what information that model provides to users. And European lawmakers are advancing the AI law, which could add additional requirements for companies like OpenAI, possibly with some major new information disclosures.