Noyb files a complaint against OpenAI for ChatGPT inaccuracies
Noyb highlights a case where ChatGPT provided an incorrect birth date for a public figure, and OpenAI refused to amend or delete the data upon request.
The European Centre for Digital Rights, or Noyb, has filed a complaint against OpenAI, claiming that ChatGPT fails to provide accurate information about individuals. According to Noyb, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) mandates that information about individuals be accurate and that they have full access to this information, including its sources. However, OpenAI admits it cannot correct inaccurate information on ChatGPT, citing that factual accuracy in large language models remains an active research area.
Noyb highlights the potential dangers of ChatGPT’s inaccuracies, noting that while such errors may be tolerable for general uses like student homework, they are unacceptable when they involve personal information. The organisation cites a case where ChatGPT provided an incorrect date of birth for a public figure, and OpenAI refused to correct or delete the inaccurate data. Noyb argues this refusal breaches the GDPR, which grants individuals the right to rectify incorrect data.
Furthermore, Noyb points out that the EU law requires all personal data to be accurate, and ChatGPT’s tendency to produce false information, known as ‘hallucinations’, constitutes another violation of the GDPR. Data protection lawyer Maartje de Graaf emphasises that the inability to ensure factual accuracy can have serious consequences for individuals, making it clear that current chatbot technologies like ChatGPT are not compliant with the EU laws regarding data processing.
Noyb has requested that the Austrian data protection authority (DSB) investigate OpenAI’s data processing practices and enforce measures to ensure compliance with the GDPR. The organisation also seeks a fine against OpenAI to promote future adherence to data protection regulations.