A Vienna-based privacy campaign group announced on Monday that they plan to file a complaint against ChatGPT in Austria. They claim that the flagship AI tool, known for providing hallucinating answers, invents incorrect responses that even its creator OpenAI cannot correct. The group, NOYB (“None of Your Business”), expressed concerns that there is no way to guarantee the accuracy of the information generated by the program. Despite this acknowledgment, OpenAI has not provided clarity on the source of the data or what information ChatGPT stores about individuals.
The campaign group highlighted an incident where ChatGPT provided incorrect information about the birth date of NOYB founder Max Schrems instead of informing users that it lacked the necessary data. OpenAI reportedly refused to correct or remove the inaccurate data, claiming it was impossible to do so. Additionally, the company failed to adequately respond to Schrems’s request to access his personal data, further violating EU laws.
NOYB argued that inaccuracies in the data produced by ChatGPT are unacceptable, especially when it comes to personal information. EU law mandates that personal data must be accurate, and if a system cannot consistently produce reliable and transparent results, it should not be used to generate data about individuals. Maartje de Graaf, a data protection lawyer at NOYB, emphasized the importance of technology complying with legal requirements.
Since its introduction in November 2022, ChatGPT has garnered attention for its impressive capabilities in generating text quickly. However, concerns and criticisms surrounding the technology have led to legal actions in various countries. Italy temporarily blocked the program in March 2023, and France initiated an investigation following complaints. In response to these issues, a European working group has been established to enhance coordination on AI regulation, although organizations like NOYB remain skeptical about the effectiveness of authorities in regulating AI.
OpenAI’s refusal to correct or remove incorrect data raises questions about accountability and transparency within AI systems. As such, NOYB is calling for more stringent regulations around AI use and greater protections for individuals’ personal information.
“It is essential that we hold companies accountable for their use of personal information,” said de Graaf. “If they cannot provide accurate and reliable results or fail to respect individuals’ privacy rights