OpenAI, jointly owned by Microsoft and other investors, has once again restored access to its AI chatbot, ChatGPT for users in Italy. This came about after the country’s data protection authority filed a complaint over user data concerns. ChatGPT was then blocked in Italy for its failure to meet the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
To address the issue, OpenAI has clarified the data-protection concerns and is now offering users the option to submit new forms to have personal data removed under GDPR. In addition, they are verifying users’ ages upon signup in Italy. OpenAI is also trying to make up for its mistake by refunding the subscription costs incurred by all its users in Italy, who purchased a ChatGPT Plus subscription in March.
OpenAI is a technology company that aims to develop and deploy advanced artificial-intelligence (AI) technology. Founded in 2015, it assists developers and businesses across industries, such as healthcare, gaming, and finance, to build smarter products faster. OpenAI set out to provide an array of leading-edge products such as Machine Learning benchmarks, Robotics systems, and Natural Language Processing (NLP) models. Since then, but especially during the pandemic, OpenAI has become known for its AI chatbot, ChatGPT.
The incident occurred when a bug in an open-source library allowed some users to see titles from another active user’s chat history. Such a situation is a complete breach of Europe’s GDPR, which states that personal data must be kept secure and private. OpenAI decided to disable ChatGPT for users in Italy, and a subsequent inquiry was conducted.
After OpenAI addressed and clarified the issues raised by the Italian Data Protection Authority (or GPDP), ChatGPT was restored to Italian users once again. OpenAI issued a statement saying,” ChatGPT is available again to our users in Italy. We are excited to welcome them back, and we remain dedicated to protecting their privacy.”
OpenAI’s core mission of creating responsible, beneficial AI is further strenghtened by the way it handled this incident. By taking ownership of the bug and following up swiftly, OpenAI has demonstrated its commitment to its users and the importance of access to this technology in a safe environment. OpenAI’s ability to bounce back from this incident is a testament to its resilient spirit, and its core values of responsibility, transparency, and correctness in its technology.
