ChatGPT banned in Italy over privacy concerns
[Italy has become the first Western country
to block advanced chatbot ChatGPT.
The Italian data-protection authority said there
were privacy concerns relating to the model,
which was created by US start-up OpenAI
and is backed by Microsoft.
The regulator said it would ban and investigate OpenAI
"with immediate effect".
OpenAI told the BBC it complied with privacy laws.
Millions of people have used ChatGPT
since it launched in November 2022.
It can answer questions using natural,
human-like language and it can also
mimic other writing styles,
using the internet as it was
in 2021 as its database.
Microsoft has spent billions of dollars on
it and it was added to Bing last month.
It has also said that it will embed a version
of the technology in its Office apps,
including Word, Excel, PowerPoint
and Outlook.
There have been concerns over the potential risks
of artificial intelligence (AI),
including its threat to jobs and the
spreading of misinformation and bias.
Earlier this week key figures in tech,
including Elon Musk, called for these types
of AI systems to be suspended amid fears
the race to develop them was out of control.
The Italian watchdog said that not only would
it block OpenAI's chatbot but it would also
investigate whether it complied with
General Data Protection Regulation.
GDPR governs the way in which we can use,
process and store personal data.
The watchdog said on 20 March that the app had
experienced a data breach
involving user conversations
and payment information.]
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-65139406