MILAN/STOCKHOLM, May 22 (Reuters) – Italian data protection authority Galante is reviewing other artificial intelligence platforms and focusing on AI as it ramps up scrutiny of powerful technology after it temporarily banned ChatGPT in March. The plan is to hire the house, a senior official said.
Garante is one of the most active of the 31 national data protection authorities overseeing the European data privacy regime known as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
The agency banned AI chatbot company Replika and fined facial recognition software maker Clearview AI, making it the first company to restrict TikTok in Europe.
In March, it temporarily banned ChatGPT, an open AI bot backed by Microsoft (MSFT.O), and launched an investigation into allegations that the application violated privacy rules.
“We are embarking on an extensive review of generative and machine learning AI applications available online as we want to understand whether these new tools address issues related to compliance with data protection and privacy laws. It is planned and we will initiate a new investigation, if necessary,” said Agostino Ghilia, member of the Galante Board of Directors.
ChatGPT’s success has prompted tech giants from Alphabet (GOOGL.O) to Meta (META.O) to push their own versions, which could take years for lawmakers and governments around the world to implement A new law is being discussed.
“We are looking for three AI Advisors as we recognize that AI tools are evolving very rapidly and we need experts with technical backgrounds to assist us in our data protection efforts.” said Giglia.
The move is the latest example of how some regulators are relying on existing laws to regulate technology that could upend the way society and businesses operate.
The four members of the Galante Board are made up of legal professionals. Guillia said the agency had 144 staff, well below its peers in European countries such as France, Spain and the United Kingdom. Guilia said most have knowledge of the law.
In its crackdown on ChaTGPT, Garante took advantage of the GDPR’s provisions, particularly those that protect minor children, give individuals the right to request cancellation of their personal data, and to object to the use of their personal data.
After Garante took action, ChatGPT maker OpenAI made changes to its chatbot to restore compliance.
“Members of the Galante board are often aware of potential violations of privacy laws because they only investigate digital tools and applications as they become available,” Guillia said.
“After investigating ChatGPT, we found that it does not comply with EU data privacy rules.”
Potential new laws regulating AI will take years to come into force.
“That’s why we decided to act fast with ChatGPT,” Ghiglia said.
Reporting by Elvira Pollina from Milan and Supantha Mukherjee from Stockholm.Editing: Bernadette Baum
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