Trends
Top EU privacy regulator launches probe into Google’s AI compliance
DPC investigated Google to regulate whether EU users’ personal data is processed in the development of its foundational AI model.
Headline
DPC investigated Google to regulate whether EU users’ personal data is processed in the development of its foundational AI model.
Context
OUR TAKE The top EU privacy regulator’s investigation into the compliance of Google’s AI systems underscores the emphasis on protecting EU users’ personal data and privacy. In the process of building and developing AI models, user data, as an essential resource, carries the risk of misuse and leakage. The launch of this investigation will help internet companies regulate how they handle user data, ensuring a balanced development between technology and human concerns. -Tori Cai, BTW reporter On Thursday, top EU privacy regulator investigated whether Google has adequately protected the personal data of European Union users before using it to help develop its foundational AI models. The probe concerns the Alphabet Inc unit’s Pathways Language Model 2 (PaLM 2). Ireland’s Data Protection Commission (DPC) issued a statement saying: “This statutory inquiry forms part of the wider efforts of the DPC, working in conjunction with its EU/EEA (European Economic Area) peer regulators, in regulating the processing of the personal data of EU/EEA data subjects in the development of AI models and systems.”
Evidence
Pending intelligence enrichment.
Analysis
Since the majority of major US internet companies operate their EU business out of Ireland, the DPC is responsible for and entitled to carry out this investigation. The focus of the investigation is whether Google, as the world’s leading search engine, has mishandled the personal data of EU users during the development of its AI models. After the DPC filed a lawsuit, social media platform X agreed last week not to use EU users’ personal data to train its AI systems, and EU users now have the option to withdraw consent. Also read: Google’s Privacy Sandbox faces competition concerns from smaller ad-tech firms Also read: EU seeks feedback on Google’s fair competition proposals
Key Points
- DPC working in conjunction with its EU/EEA peer regulators, investigated Google to regulate whether EU users’ personal data is processed in the development of its foundational AI model.
- After the Irish regulator filed a lawsuit, social media platform X agreed not to use personal data collected from EU users to train its AI systems.
Actions
Pending intelligence enrichment.
