Snapchat Faces ICO Enforcement Notice Over Generative AI Chatbot
In a shocking turn of events, social media giant Snapchat, operated by parent company Snap, has been hit with a preliminary enforcement notice by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). The ICO alleges that Snap failed to properly assess the risks posed by its generative AI chatbot, known as My AI. Notably, the failure to assess risks also extends to the millions of users, including children aged 13-17, who interact with the chatbot in the UK.
Potential Consequences for Snap
If a final enforcement notice is adopted, Snap may be required to cease processing data related to the My AI chatbot. This would result in the product effectively being unavailable to UK users until an “adequate risk assessment” is conducted. The ICO has outlined steps that Snap could take to address the issue, but the company’s willingness to comply remains to be seen.
What is My AI?
My AI is a chatbot introduced by Snapchat in February 2023. It uses OpenAI’s ChatGPT technology to answer user questions on various topics, such as trivia or advice on buying presents. However, Snap acknowledges that the responses generated by My AI may sometimes be biased, incorrect, harmful, or misleading. The company urges users to provide feedback to help improve the chatbot’s performance.
Snap’s Attempts to Ensure Safety
Snap claims that My AI is programmed to follow specific guidelines to ensure age-appropriate and non-harmful information is delivered to users. Parents and guardians also have the ability to monitor their children’s interactions with the chatbot through Snap’s Family Center. Furthermore, the company recently made updates to comply with the European Union’s Digital Services Act, granting users more control over their content viewing experience.
ICO’s Concerns and Snap’s Response
The ICO’s preliminary findings suggest a concerning failure on Snap’s part to adequately assess the data protection risks associated with My AI. The information commissioner emphasized the importance of organizations considering both the benefits and risks of AI technology. In response, Snap stated that it is reviewing the notice and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting user privacy. The company asserts that My AI underwent thorough legal and privacy reviews prior to its launch.
Call to Action: What Do You Think?
What are your thoughts on Snap’s handling of its generative AI chatbot? Do you believe the ICO’s enforcement notice is warranted? Share your opinion in the comments section below and let’s start a conversation!
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