Italy considers allowing ChatGPT’s return but on strict conditions

Italy’s data protection watchdog, Garante, is considering allowing the return of OpenAI’s ChatGPT at the end of April, provided that the company addresses the agency’s concerns.

Pasquale Stanzione, the authority’s chief, stated in an interview with Corriere della Sera newspaper that they are ready to reopen ChatGPT on April 30 if OpenAI demonstrates a willingness to take useful steps.

ChatGPT, backed by Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O), was taken offline in Italy in late March after Garante temporarily restricted its personal data processing and initiated an investigation into a suspected breach of privacy rules.

Italy was the first Western European country to curb ChatGPT, but its rapid development has drawn attention from lawmakers and regulators in multiple countries.

List of demands Italy has for OpenAI

Last week, the data protection body led by Stanzione outlined a list of demands that OpenAI must meet by April 30 to address its concerns.

According to a statement from Garante, the set of “concrete” demands must be met by the end of this month. If OpenAI complies, the authority will suspend the provisional restrictions on the use of Italian users’ data, allowing ChatGPT to become accessible in Italy once more.

OpenAI has welcomed the agency’s move, with a spokesperson stating, “We are happy that the Italian Garante is reconsidering their decision and we look forward to working with them to make ChatGPT available to our customers in Italy again soon.”

Stanzione explained that Italy acted unilaterally to ban ChatGPT because urgent action was necessary, and relying on a European decision would have resulted in a delay of at least three or four months.

Meanwhile, EU lawmakers have called on world leaders to hold a summit to find ways to control the development of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) systems, such as ChatGPT, as they are developing faster than anticipated.

Many experts argue that new regulations are required to govern AI due to its potential impact on national security, jobs, and education.

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