OpenAI under investigation in Italy. The Data Protection Authority has asked OpenAI to provide a number of clarifications related to „how the algorithm is trained, what data is collected and processed to train the algorithm”

The Italian Data Protection Authority (DPA) has opened an investigation against OpenAI, the US company that in recent weeks has announced the launch of a new AI model, ‘Sora’, which, according to the announcement, is able to create dynamic, realistic and imaginative scenes from short text instructions.

Given the possible implications that the ‘Sora’ service could have on the processing of users’ personal data in the European Union and in Italy in particular, the Authority has asked OpenAI to provide a number of clarifications.

„The company will have to clarify within 20 days whether the new AI model is already available to the public and whether it is or will be offered to users in the European Union, particularly in Italy. OpenAI will also have to clarify to the DPA a number of issues: how the algorithm is trained; what data is collected and processed to train the algorithm, especially whether it is personal data; whether particular categories of data (religious or philosophical beliefs, political opinions, genetic data, health, sexual life) are collected; and which sources are used.” – according to the press release.

In the event that the service is or will be offered to users located in the EU, the DPA asked OpenAI to state whether the methods envisaged for informing users and non-users about data processing procedures and the legal bases for said processing comply with the European Regulation.