OpenAI Geoblocks ChatGPT in Italy After User Data Restrictions

Following an order from the Italian Data Protection Authority, OpenAI has geoblocked access to the generative AI chatbot in the country.

When trying to access ChatGPT with an Italian IP address, users now find a statement from ChatGPT where the company informs that it had to disable access to Italian users following the Italian DPA's request.

OpenAI also states here that all users in Italy who purchased a ChatGPT Plus subscription last month will be refunded, and subscription renewals will be temporarily paused.

What led to the ChatGPT geoblock in Italy?

The Italian Data Protection Authority, also known as Garante, ordered ChatGPT on Friday to stop processing the data of Italian users immediately.

The Garante also brought up the lack of accuracy in the information often provided by the Chatbot.

The Garante also announced that it had begun investigating ChatGPT for the suspected breach of the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

The Italian DPA is concerned that OpenAI has processed Italian user data unlawfully and has reasons to suspect so. The San Francisco-based company has been rather shady on this matter and hasn't been quite open about the kind of data it's processing, especially for GPT-4.

It's possible that OpenAI has trained the model on publicly available user data, such as information posted on online forums. Still, the GDPR's transparency principles require the company to inform all users and people whose data it has scraped.

The local data protection authority also pointed out that ChatGPT doesn't have an age verification system in place to block access for minors, which raises child safety concerns.

OpenAI was given a deadline of 20 days to respond to Garante's order to stop collecting Italian user data.It warned that failure to comply with the order might result in heavy penalties. It was following this order that OpenAI restricted ChatGPT access for Italian users.

Users simply need a VPN and access the AI chatbot by switching their IP addresses to non-Italian countries.

The geoblock incorporated by OpenAI is rather simple - it detects users with Italian IP addresses and prevents them from accessing ChatGPT. However, this kind of geoblock is easy to circumvent.

However, ChatGPT accounts that were originally registered in Italy may not be accessible even with a VPN. These users would have to register a new account with a non-Italian IP address to get around the geoblock.

OpenAI's statement on the geoblock and the Garante's orders

In the previously mentioned statement that appears to geoblocked users in Italy, OpenAI promises to engage with the Garante and restore ChatGPT access in the country as soon as possible.

We are committed to protecting people's privacy, and we believe we offer ChatGPT in compliance with GDPR and other privacy laws.OpenAI

However, it's unclear how OpenAI plans to address data protection and privacy issues. The GDPR requires systems that process the users' data to have privacy-centric processes and principles embedded in them.

As OpenAI lacks a main establishment in the EU, any EU member country can choose to investigate the company and slap fines on it for GDPR beaches at any time. Confirmed breaches of the GDPR can result in fines of 20M or more, up to 4% of the company's annual global turnover.

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