Snapchat's artificial intelligence chatbot faces closure in UK due to risk to children

Information Commissioner John Edwards said the hyper-competitive onslaught on the market was cutting corners on new technology

Snapchat faced criticism over it My AI bot based on ChatGPT technology, but with additional child protection measures.

It was accused of misleading users about whether it collects location data and of recommending unsafe diets. Unlike ChatGPT, it also inserts advertisements into conversations.

“An ICO investigation has previously found that the risk assessment carried out by Snap before launching My AI did not adequately assess the data protection risks associated with generative technology AI. especially children,” the regulator said.

“Assessing data protection risk is particularly important in this context, which involves the use of innovative technologies and the processing of personal data of children aged 13 to 17 years. children.»

Snap said it would cooperate with the regulator.

“We are carefully reviewing the ICO's preliminary decision,” it said.

“Like ICOs, we are committed to protecting the privacy of our users. As part of our standard approach to product development, My AI has undergone a rigorous legal and privacy review process before becoming publicly available. We will continue to work constructively with the ICO to ensure they are comfortable with our risk assessment procedures.”

The ICO has issued a number of warnings about the use of generative artificial intelligence services such as ChatGPT. The company recently warned that office workers writing emails using the technology could break data protection laws if they use personal data when writing them.

Artificial intelligence companies have also been warned that they face fines for relentlessly collecting people's personal data. data.