Italy’s data protection authority Garante has informed OpenAI that its ChatGPT AI chatbot application violates data protection rules, continuing an investigation initiated last year, Reuters reports.
Last year, Garante temporarily banned ChatGPT for allegedly breaching EU privacy rules, the service was reinstated after OpenAI addressed the concerns. However, the Italian watchdog has now identified potential data privacy violations and has given OpenAI 30 days to present defense arguments.
OpenAI asserts its practices align with EU privacy laws and plans to collaborate with Garante. Italy was the first Western European country to restrict ChatGPT, and potential fines under the GDPR could reach up to 4% of global turnover.
