Italy may soon resume ChatGPT services if OpenAI is willing to agree to the terms

On Wednesday, Italy's data protection office issued a list of demands to address its concerns about ChatGPT and allow the chatbot service managed by OpenAI to restart operations in the nation. Italy may soon resume ChatGPT services if OpenAI is willing to agree to the terms.

Almost two weeks ago, Microsoft Corp-backed OpenAI took ChatGPT down in Italy after the Garante authority temporarily banned its data processing and launched an investigation into a suspected violation of privacy rules.

Garante stated on Wednesday outlining a set of "concrete" requests that must be addressed by the end of this month.

"Only in this case… will the authority suspend the provisional restrictions on the use of Italian users' data… and ChatGPT will once again become accessible in Italy," it stated.

A request for comment from OpenAI was not immediately responded to.

Italy was the first Western European country to prohibit ChatGPT, but it's fast growth has piqued the interest of lawmakers and authorities worldwide.

Many experts believe that new legislation is required to oversee AI due to its potential impact on national security, employment, and education.

According to the authorities, OpenAI is required to inform users in Italy of "the methods and logic" behind the data processing required for ChatGPT to function.

The watchdog also requested that OpenAI provide mechanisms that allow persons whose data is involved, including non-users, to request the repair of erroneously generated personal data by the service or its deletion if a remedy is not possible.

According to Garante, OpenAI should also allow non-users to object "in a simple and accessible manner" to the use of their data to run its algorithms.

It also requested that the business implements by the end of September an age verification system capable of denying access to users under the age of 13.

Garante stated that it would continue to investigate suspected breaches of data protection standards by OpenAI, reserving the right to apply any additional measures necessary after its continuing investigation.

The Italian move on ChatGPT has aroused the interest of other European privacy watchdogs, who are investigating if stricter measures for chatbots are required and whether to coordinate.

Spain's data protection office has requested that the European Union's privacy authority investigate the privacy issues raised by ChatGPT.

The Italian authority prohibited AI chatbot company Replika from using the personal data of Italian users in February, citing hazards to minors and emotionally vulnerable persons.