In order to have the ban lifted, ChatGPT needs to strengthen its age verification and transparency measures to protect user privacy as required by the Italian government’s Data Protection Authority (Garante).
ChatGPT was disabled in Italy on March 31. Garante has issued a temporary ban on OpenAI ‘s chatbot over privacy concerns. According to Cointelegraph, the agency accused ChatGPT of violating the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) of the European Union (EU) and asked the company to stop processing Italian users’ data.
On April 12, the Italian data protection agency released a list of requirements for OpenAI to fulfill. This is an opportunity for ChatGPT to continue operating in this country.
Garante requires OpenAI to implement age-restrictive measures to prevent minors from accessing the chatbot and to adopt stricter age verification methods. The agency also asked the company to increase transparency by informing about ChatGPT’s data processing.
In addition, OpenAI must allow anyone, both users and non-ChatGPT users, to exercise their rights to their personal data, including requesting correction of any misinformation or deletion of data, allowing users to object to the processing of their data to train algorithms
By May 31, OpenAI must submit a plan outlining the implementation of age verification technology to screen users under the age of 13 and those between the ages of 13 and 18 who have not received parental consent. The system is expected to be launched in September.
An OpenAI spokesperson said the company welcomes the new move from Garante and looks forward to working together to bring ChatGPT back to Italy soon.
Italy was the first Western European country to restrict ChatGPT. Italy’s move to ChatGPT has attracted the interest of other European privacy watchdogs. Spain’s data protection authority has also asked the EU’s privacy watchdog to assess the chatbot’s security risks.
In February, Garante banned the AI chatbot Replika from using the personal data of its users in Italy, citing risks to minors and emotionally vulnerable people
