UK Data Regulator Warns Snapchat over Privacy Concerns Linked to 'My AI' Chatbot
Summary:
Snapchat has been issued a preliminary notice from the UK Information Commissioner's Office regarding potential privacy risks associated with its new AI chatbot, "My AI". The notice resulted from an ongoing investigation which found that risks to several million users, including young teens, were not adequately assessed before the product's launch. If a final enforcement notice is given, the company may have to cease data processing related to the AI chatbot for UK users, pending comprehensive risk assessment.
Snapchat has been warned by the UK's data protection regulator about its new artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot, known as "My AI", following an update from the regulator. On October 6th, Snap Inc. and Snap Group Limited, Snapchat's parent companies, were given a preliminary notice by the UK Information Commissioner's Office due to a possible lack of proper privacy risk assessment associated with the chatbot.
The preliminary enforcement notice has identified a potential failure to correctly evaluate the privacy risks presented by the AI chatbot 'My AI'. This communication from the ICO centers around an ongoing investigation into the company, indicating that risks to numerous "My AI" users, including children between the ages of 13-17, were not sufficiently recognized prior to the product's debut.
John Edwards, the Information Commissioner of the UK, spoke out about the notice, emphasizing that organizations need to weigh the risks of AI technology alongside its advantages. He highlighted that the current preliminary enforcement notice demonstrates their readiness to take measures to safeguard the privacy rights of UK consumers.
As per the notice, if a final enforcement notice gets issued, Snap might be instructed to cease data processing in regards to "My AI," effectively disallowing the service to UK users without an "adequate" risk assessment. The Commissioner’s Office clarified that no conclusions should be drawn at this stage of investigations.
Snapchat’s AI chatbot was launched in the UK to Snapchat+ users in February 2023, broadening its availability in April 2023. OpenAI’s GPT-4 technology powers "My AI", and according to the data watchdog, is the "first instance of generative AI being incorporated into a main chat platform in the UK".
Throughout this year, major social media companies have been incorporating AI functions into their platforms. On October 4th, LinkedIn, the business-oriented social media site owned by Microsoft, unveiled additional AI tools for recruiters and an AI assistant in its learning center. BigTech conglomerates Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, as well as Google, have also announced the integration of AI chatbots into their array of services.
Published At
10/6/2023 1:29:00 PM
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