European Data Protection Board Launches Task Force to Monitor ChatGPT
The European Data Protection Board (EDPB) has announced the formation of a task force to monitor ChatGPT, following concerns of potential privacy violations. The EDPB aims to ensure that the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is applied consistently throughout the European Union (EU) and includes the data protection authorities of each member state. The move comes after the Spanish Data Protection Agency launched a preliminary investigation into OpenAI over possible privacy violations by ChatGPT.
The announcement by the EDPB followed enforcement action undertaken by the Italian Data Protection Authority against OpenAI about the ChatGPT service. Italy became the first country in the world to ban ChatGPT, albeit temporarily. The Spanish regulator also requested the EDPB to review the ChatGPT issue last week due to the chatbot’s perceived effects on the public’s privacy rights.
The Italian Data Protection Authority released a series of measures OpenAI had to implement if it wanted to restore access to ChatGPT in the Southern European country. The measures included allowing users and non-users to object to having their data processed by ChatGPT and allowing them to correct the incorrect information ChatGPT says about them. OpenAI has until April 30 to implement the measures requested by Italy.
OpenAI expressed its willingness to work with Italian regulators so that its chatbot would be allowed to operate in the country again. However, the company did not respond to Gizmodo’s request for comment. The Spanish Data Protection Agency supports the development and implementation of innovative technologies like artificial intelligence that fully respect current laws and protect the rights and freedoms of the public.
