Italy orders ChatGPT blocked citing data protection concerns

Two days after an open letter called for a moratorium on more powerful generative AI models being developed so regulators can catch up with the likes of ChatGPT, Italy’s data protection authority has just put out a timely reminder that some countries do have laws that already apply to cutting edge AI — by ordering OpenAI to stop processing people’s data locally with immediate effect.

The Italian DPA said it’s concerned ChatGPT’s maker is breaching the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Specifically, the Guarante said it has issued the order to block ChatGPT over concerns OpenAI has unlawfully processed people’s data — and also over the lack of any system to prevent minors from accessing the tech.

The San Francisco-based company has 20 days to respond to the order — backed up by the threat of some meaty penalties if it fails to comply. (Reminder: Fines for breaches of the EU’s data protection regime can scale up to 4% of annual turnover or €20M, whichever is greater.)

It’s worth noting that since OpenAI does not have a legal…