ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence that only needs to make you eat. A few days ago, in Softonic we detailed how the AI created by OpenAI works and explained many of its features. Well, this popular chatbot could have its hours numbered in Europe. A few days ago, OpenAI blocked the use of ChatGPT throughout Italy, according to TechCrunch.
The software company carried out the move after Garante, the Italian data protection authority, expressly asked it to block the use of the chatbot across the country after expressing concerns about the provenance of the data used to “train” the AI, as well as the use of this data. Italy’s data protection authority went so far as to raise concerns that OpenAI is in violation of the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation and has announced the opening of an investigation.
With this block imposed by OpenAI on Italy, Italian users trying to access ChatGPT will see a message that the company “regrets to inform” that their access has been disabled “following a request from the Italian data protection authority.” OpenAI has also announced that it will refund money to those who paid for the ChatGPT Plus subscription service, and that it will not pause renewals in Italy so as not to charge Italian users.
What is geoblocking?
The geoblocking imposed by OpenAI, prevents access to ChatGPT to anyone with an IP address (the identity label your PC has when connecting to the Internet) from Italy. Thus, any user from there and/or who has created an account originally in Italy, would not be able to enjoy ChatGPT services.
Is there any way to bypass geoblocking?
If Italian users have registered while using an Italian IP, they may have no way of bypassing the block, although nothing has been confirmed at this time. Those affected by this or any other type of geo-blocking can bypass it by using a VPN network, which “masks” their IP address by using another IP address from another country.
Does the ban affect more countries?
Not at the moment, although if the investigation carried out by the Italian data protection authority finds any misuse of the data of Italian citizens who have used ChatGPT, other countries could join the blocking, or even take legal action against OpenAI.
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