OpenAI has a problem in Europe. After the decision of Italy and Spain, Germany is now joining. The German regulatory body has decided an investigation on OpenAI and ChatGPT, for a possible violation of the General Data Protection Regulation. And the problem is that it seems clear that OpenAI is not doing things right.
Germany also wants explanations. Has been Marit Hansen, commissioner of the state of Schleswig-Holstein, who has verbalized the position of Germany: “we want to know if a data protection impact assessment has been carried out and if the data protection risks are under control”.
In parallel, Hansen explains that Germany has requested “information on issues arising from the European General Data Protection Regulation” from OpenAI. In other words, they have requested a response to multiple questions that remain unanswered and that could be an indication of illegality.
No blocking at the moment. Unlike in Italy, where OpenAI decided to stop the service. In Germany ChatGPT still works. This week OpenAI has received the notification from the German authorities and we will have to see what step the company takes.
It is a process equivalent to the one that France took, where it asked OpenAI for five requests.
Until June 11. It is the date set by Germany. Until June 11, OpenAI has the margin to respond to the requests of the German agency, where it has requested that it describe how the data of Europeans is being used and how they can modify their data in case there is some type of error. .
We have a date with more margin than in Italy, which has given until April 30. If OpenAI responds, you will be able to return to Italy. Otherwise, it will be prohibited. Something similar could happen in Germany.
Ulrich Kelber, Germany’s data protection officer, has explained that a block to ChatHPT is very possible.
And the European Union is missing. The different countries are taking the lead when requesting requirements to OpenAI. They are not the only ones, because the ‘European Data Protection Board’ is already studying what is the next step.
As different experts explain to Xataka, it is most likely that another date and multiple demands will be raised from Europe, predictably with several levels. Some more urgent for immediate application if they want to continue working and others to apply with a little more margin.
OpenAI has to move token now. All eyes are on OpenAI, who are expected to make some kind of official announcement soon. It is unknown if they will arrive in time at the margin given by Italy or if they will decide to see how much time the European Union allows them.
What does seem clear from the position of the different agencies is that ChatGPT does not comply with the General Data Protection Regulation. It is in your hands to remedy it.
Imagen | Levart_Photographer
In Xataka | ChatGPT’s days are numbered in Europe: what OpenAI needs to change to comply with the law
