Canada's privacy watchdog opens investigation into OpenAI, ChatGPT over complaints: Canadian media

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The Canadian privacy watchdog, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, has opened an investigation into OpenAI, the California-based company behind the explosive artificial intelligence chatbot, ChatGPT, according to a recent report by Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada stated that the investigation was launched after it received complaints alleging "unauthorized collection, use and disclosure of personal information".

"A.I. technology and its effects on privacy is a priority for my Office," said Phillippe Dufresne, Canadian Privacy Commissioner, "We need to keep up with – and stay ahead of – fast-moving technological advances, and that is one of my key focus areas as Commissioner."

Canada is now the second country after Italy to launch an investigation into ChatGPT. On March 31, the Italian Data Protection Authority announced a ban that blocks OpenAI from processing the data of Italian users, and opened an investigation into the organization.