The European Data Protection Board (EDPB), a body that unites Europe’s privacy watchdogs, has announced the launch of a task force to monitor ChatGPT. This follows the Italian government’s move to temporarily ban ChatGPT last month and the German Data Protection commissioner’s announcement of the country will follow Italy in the initiative. On the same day, Spain’s data protection authority, the AEPD, stated they were starting a preliminary investigation against ChatGPT’s parent company OpenAI for possible privacy violations.
The EDPB members discussed the enforcement action taken by the Italian data protection authority and decided to launch a dedicated task force to facilitate cooperation, exchange information and possible enforce actions. The aim of the task force is to create rules that are consistent among Europe and to protect users’ privacy. The source mentioned that the task force’s primary objective is to create guidelines, rather than target OpenAI or punish it.
Microsoft-backed OpenAI already received a series of measures put forward by the Italian Data Protection Authority. This includes the ability to object to data processed by ChatGPT and an option to correct the incorrect information it has about its users.
OpenAI is a leading artificial intelligence research company. It is based out of San Francisco and has offices in Toronto, Montreal and London. The company’s mission is to advance digital intelligence in the way people communicate with one another and with machines using natural language. OpenAI is backed by Microsoft, LinkedIn, and Bain Capital Ventures.
Its Founder and CEO, Elon Musk is a tech entrepreneur who is well-known for co-founding companies such as Tesla Motors. Musk has been involved in several ventures related to space exploration, artificial intelligence, and renewable energy. He is a major investor in SolarCity, a solar energy provider, and was largely responsible for the founding of SpaceX, a space exploration company.
