OpenAI’s Sora Under Investigation by Italian DPA
The Italian Data Protection Authority (DPA) has initiated an investigation into OpenAI following the announcement of its latest AI model, Sora. This technology, which generates dynamic and realistic videos from textual instructions, has raised concerns regarding the handling of personal data within the European Union, particularly in Italy. The DPA’s inquiry seeks to understand the implications of Sora’s operation and its adherence to EU data protection standards.
OpenAI is required to respond to the Italian DPA within 20 days, providing detailed information about Sora’s availability to the public, especially to users within the European Union and Italy. The inquiry extends to the nature of the algorithm’s training, including the types of data collected, the sources of this data, and whether it encompasses sensitive information such as religious beliefs, political opinions, or genetic data.
The investigation also probes into the methods OpenAI plans to use for informing both users and non-users about the data processing activities linked to Sora and the legal grounds for such processing. This is to ensure compliance with the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which sets stringent guidelines for the processing of personal data within the EU.
This move by the Italian DPA highlights the growing scrutiny of AI technologies and their compliance with data protection laws in the EU. It underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in the development and deployment of AI systems, particularly those capable of processing personal and sensitive information.
