The European Data Protection Board (EDPB), which oversees national privacy authorities in Europe, has established a task force focused on developing privacy guidelines for the AI platform ChatGPT.
This initiative comes in the wake of Italy’s temporary ban on ChatGPT, prompted by concerns regarding data privacy and potential breaches. Following this, Germany’s data protection commissioner issued a statement suggesting they may consider similar actions. Meanwhile, the Spanish Data Protection Authority (AEPD) has announced an investigation into privacy concerns linked to the AI tool. Additionally, the French regulator, Commission Nationale de l’Informatique et des Libertés (CNIL), has recorded five complaints regarding ChatGPT, including one from a member of parliament, alleging violations of personal data regulations.
Since its launch in late 2022, ChatGPT has gained over 100 million monthly users worldwide, quickly becoming popular for its ability to provide rapid responses on diverse subjects. However, governments are increasingly apprehensive about the implications of such technology for privacy, safety, and job security.
In a recent statement, the EDPB noted that its members discussed the Italian enforcement actions against OpenAI concerning the ChatGPT service. The formation of this task force is aimed at enhancing cooperation and sharing information regarding potential enforcement measures by various data protection authorities.
This move represents a significant step toward bolstering privacy regulations related to artificial intelligence. Reactions from companies regarding ChatGPT have varied; for instance, JP Morgan has banned the use of the tool among its employees, while Klarna has integrated it for shopping recommendations.