OpenAI Is Under Investigation for Privacy Breach in Canada

Jimmy Aki
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Canada has opened an investigation into OpenAI, the US-based software firm behind ChatGPT, for allegedly stealing personal data through its GPT-3 language-generating algorithm.

The investigation sheds light on the growing regulatory emphasis on data privacy and protection in the IT sector. Furthermore, similar actions may be considered by watchdogs in Germany, France, Ireland, and Spain.

Privacy Regulation Enforcement On Data

The artificial intelligence research facility OpenAI is under investigation in Canada for allegedly exploiting personal data.

The investigation is part of a larger initiative by Canadian authorities to enforce privacy laws in the Internet sector.

The accusations against OpenAI center on the firm’s utilization of GPT-3, a language generation model that has sparked worries about data security and privacy. Critics have alleged that GPT-3 might be used for the wrong reasons, such as collecting personal data.

On April 4, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) announced that a complaint from an unnamed person prompted its inquiry.

The chief privacy commissioner, Philippe Dufresne, stated that his office is closely monitoring AI technology to ensure Canadians’ privacy rights are adequately protected.

According to him, the privacy implications of AI technology are a top concern for his office. Aside from that, a big area of interest for him is how to keep up with and remain ahead of rapidly evolving technological advancements.

The OPC didn’t make any other remarks nor indicate if there’s a restriction on Canadians’ access to ChatGPT.

However, there seems to be more regulation coming for the application. Following an Italian temporary ban on ChatGPT, Germany, France, Ireland, and Spain are considering possible AI-related actions as Canada continues its probe.

The chatbot was temporarily disabled on March 31 by Italy’s data protection agency as it looked into an alleged data breach on March 20.

However, not everyone agrees with the restriction, including Italy’s deputy prime minister, Matteo Salvini. He expressed his disapproval in a tweet on April 4 by calling the restriction extreme.

Germany is considering following in the footsteps of Italy. Ulrich Kelber, the federal commissioner for data protection and freedom of information, revealed this on April 3.

He told the regional publication Handelsblatt that Germany might temporarily ban ChatGPT. However, this will only happen if his commission determines that the chatbot violates the General Data Protection Regulation of the European Union (GDPR).

According to a Reuters article from April 4, privacy regulators in France and Ireland are also keeping an eye on Italy’s inquiry and have been in touch with Italy’s authority to ask about the reasons behind the suspension.

Spain replied to Reuters that it wouldn’t rule out conducting further research into ChatGPT but claimed not to have heard of any complaints regarding the chatbot.

The Distrust of Artificial Intelligence

While the OPC mainly focuses on privacy, other organizations have also expressed concerns.

On March 30, the Center for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Policy (CAIDP) filed a complaint with the US Federal Trade Commission to halt the distribution of powerful AI systems to consumers.

CAIDP asserts that ChatGPT-4 violates Section 5 of the FTC Act, restricting unfair or deceptive actions in or affecting commerce.

Other prominent figures in the technology space have also voiced their opinions. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, and Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple, were two of the 12,800 people who signed a petition on March 22.

The petition urged AI companies to halt the development of AI systems more powerful than GPT-4, which could pose serious threats to society and civilization.

The privacy investigation into OpenAI highlights how closely the technology sector is scrutinized, particularly concerning data privacy and protection.

Regulators are concentrating more on ensuring user privacy is maintained as the usage of artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies grows.

However, OpenAI recently released a statement to show its commitment to safety. It stated that it is committed to abiding by all applicable privacy laws and regulations and takes privacy issues seriously.

The firm also mentioned that it had taken steps to preserve user privacy and is striving to ease regulators’ worries.

About Jimmy Aki PRO INVESTOR

Based in the UK, Jimmy is an economic researcher with outstanding hands-on and heads-on experience in Macroeconomic finance analysis, forecasting and planning. He has honed his skills having worked cross-continental as a finance analyst, which gives him inter-cultural experience. He currently has a strong passion for regulation and macroeconomic trends as it allows him peek under the global bonnet to see how the world works.