Italy’s Data Protection Agency has imposed a $15.58 million fine on OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, for secretly collecting and using users’ personal data without legal authorization. This translates to approximately 1.87 billion BDT, based on an exchange rate of 120 BDT per dollar. The fine comes after a detailed investigation into allegations that OpenAI violated privacy laws.
The investigation, launched last year, uncovered that OpenAI had been collecting personal data to train its popular AI chatbot, ChatGPT, without users’ consent. The agency deemed this practice a clear breach of privacy regulations. OpenAI faces criticism for failing to establish a legal basis for processing personal information.
Reacting to the penalty, OpenAI announced its decision to appeal to a higher court. A company spokesperson highlighted that the fine is nearly 20 times its revenue in Italy, emphasizing OpenAI’s commitment to respecting privacy rights and collaborating with global regulatory authorities to address concerns.
The case underscores growing scrutiny on generative AI technologies like ChatGPT. As these tools gain worldwide popularity, regulatory agencies across Europe and the US are intensifying efforts to monitor and regulate their operations, ensuring compliance with privacy and data protection laws.
