Europe’s data protection authorities have set up a special taskforce to look into the rapidly growing consumer application ChatGPT, which has created questions and concerns over safety, privacy and jobs. The taskforce was established by the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) following Italy’s move to curb ChatGPT. Germany’s Commissioner for Data Protection has indicated that such a step might be followed up in the largest European economy as well.
The taskforce created by the EDPB is intended to promote cooperation among the member nations and exchange information around regulations for artificial intelligence. At the meeting attended by different policy experts, the main rule was not to take action against OpenAI, the owner of ChatGPT, but to create general policies that are transparent to the public.
OpenAI, backed by Microsoft Corp, launched ChatGPT in 2020 as an AI application that is capable of providing very quick responses to a variety of queries. It has since grown extremely popular and become one of the most widely used consumer applications of all time, surpassing 100 million monthly active users.
The EDPB is a body that works to enforce data protection regulations within the European Union and consists of data watchdog authorities. Its involvement in the situation surrounding ChatGPT was triggered by a call from Spain earlier in the week, during which it was suggested to discuss the matter further.
The growing presence of OpenAI and ChatGPT in particular has also caused other countries outside the EU to raise their concerns, including the United States government, who have sought to ensure safety, privacy, and job protection.
At the end, it is clear that the EDPB is determined to ensure the safety and privacy of European citizens. Whether the taskforce will successfully harmonize enforcement measures will become apparent in the coming months, as the taskforce works to develop a unified approach to privacy rules on artificial intelligence.
