Italy temporarily bans ChatGPT

Italy accuses ChatGPT of illegally collecting personal data. Photo: Reuters

Italian authorities have asked OpenAI to immediately stop collecting data from users in the country. In a statement issued on March 31, the Italian Data Protection Authority (GPDP) said OpenAI lacked a legitimate reason to collect personal information from users. In addition, OpenAI also had no mechanism to prevent underage users from accessing the service. This led to“Adolescents are exposed to answers that are completely inconsistent with their level of self-awareness and development.”

This is not the first time Italian authorities have taken action against an AI chatbot. GPDP previously banned Replika.ai for using users’ personal data. Replika is a startup founded in 2017 that provides customizable avatars to chat with each person. Although it was advertised as a “virtual friend” that improves mood, Italian regulators said it interfered with users’ moods, “potentially increasing risks for individuals in the developmental stage or in a precarious psychological state.”

GPDP said OpenAI has 20 days to provide information on what measures it has taken to comply with the regulator’s request. The company could be fined up to €20 million (or 4% of its global turnover) if it fails to comply.

Since its launch in late 2022, ChatGPT has created a global “fever”, prompting competitors to introduce similar services. The chatbot is estimated to have reached 100 million monthly users in January, just two days after its launch, becoming the fastest growing consumer application in history.

This week, Europol warned of the potential for chatbots to be used in phishing, disinformation and cybercrime attempts.