Canadian privacy regulators have launched a combined investigation into the data collecting and usage practises of ChatGPT’s parent company, OpenAI.
This is the latest big government to examine the regulation of artificial intelligence tools.
According to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, the federal privacy regulator, together with counterparts in Quebec, British Columbia, and Alberta, will investigate whether OpenAI acquired consent for the collection, use, and dissemination of personal information of Canadians via ChatGPT.
The Canadian investigation will also look at whether the firm met “its obligations in terms of openness and transparency, access, accuracy, and accountability.”
“As this is an active investigation, no additional details are available,” the commissioner’s office stated, adding that the conclusions would be made public.
The release of chatbot sensation ChatGPT has fueled AI competition among corporate titans such as Alphabet and Meta, leaving governments in a bind as they consider legislation to restrict the use of the radical new technology.
In response to questions, ChatGPT can generate articles, essays, jokes, and even poetry. In late November, OpenAI, a private startup sponsored by Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O), made it freely available to the public.
