The move is being criticized within the government itself just asItaly’s Data Protection Authority on Friday said it had ordered California-based OpenAI to temporarily block the country’s internet users from gaining access to ChatGPT following a verified data breach that it claims represents a possible violation of European Union data protection rules.
OpenAI said late Friday night in a statement that it has disabled ChatGPT for Italian users at the government’s request. The company also stated that it is working “to reduce personal data in training our AI systems like ChatGPT because we want our AI to learn about the world, not about private individuals.” The company added that it hopes to make ChatGPT available again in Italy soon.
Italy’s decision to ban ChatGPT comes amid a growing chorus of concerns about the artificial intelligence boom across many industry sectors around the world. Last week a group of more than 1,000 U.S. scientists and tech leaders including Elon Musk, who is an OpenAI co-founder, signed an open letter urging a moratorium on the development of the most powerful artificial intelligence systems saying that they pose “profound risks to society and humanity” unless safety policies are implemented.
But even within the Italian government the ChatGPT ban has sparked complaints. “We should not be hypocritical,” tweeted over the weekend Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini who claims he opposes all forms of censorship. The prominent right wing politician pointed out that “problems related to privacy pertain to practically all online services.” Salvini went on to add that “Common sense is required” and expressed his hope “for a rapid clarification and resumption of the service.
ohhrosie