In the midst of rising privacy concern, Canada is all set to investigate Data Collection in OpenAI | Business Upturn

In the midst of rising privacy concern, Canada is all set to investigate Data Collection in OpenAI

Canadian privacy regulators have now started with a joint investigation into ChatGPT-parent OpenAI’s data collection and usage, becoming the latest major government to take a closer look at the regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) tools.

The federal privacy regulator, along with sources in Quebec, British Columbia, and Alberta, will investigate if OpenAI has obtained consent for the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information of residents via ChatGPT, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada said on Thursday. OpenAI did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. The launch of chatbot sensation ChatGPT has given rise an AI race among tech giants such as Alphabet and Meta, leaving governments in a tough spot as they mull laws to govern the use of the radically new technology. ChatGPT is adept generating articles, essays, jokes, and even poetry in response to prompts. OpenAI, a private company backed by Microsoft, made it available to the public for free in late November. Canada’s probe will also look into whether the company has respected “its obligations with respect to openness and transparency, access, accuracy, and accountability”.

“As this is an active investigation, no additional details are available,” the commissioner’s office said, adding that the findings of the investigation would be reported publicly. The advent of the popular chatbot, ChatGPT, has intensified the competition among tech giants like Alphabet Inc and Meta, prompting governments to deal with the development of laws to govern the utilisation of this revolutionary technology.