The Data Protection Commission (DPC) in Ireland is currently investigating whether Google’s artificial intelligence model, known as Pathways Language Model 2, is in compliance with privacy laws. This comes after concerns were raised about whether the tech giant had conducted a proper data protection impact assessment before processing personal data of European Union residents. The DPC, which is responsible for enforcing the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), has stated that this assessment is crucial in protecting the fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals when their personal data is being processed. In response to this news, a Google spokesperson has stated that they take their obligations under the GDPR seriously and will work with the DPC to address any concerns.
This development comes on the same day that Ireland’s media regulator, Coimisiún na Meán, sent notices to several tech companies, including Meta, TikTok, and Google-owned YouTube, to ensure compliance with the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA). The regulator’s digital services commissioner, John Evans, has stated that a significant number of complaints about online platforms involve difficulties in reporting illegal content, and they are taking action to ensure that these platforms follow the rules outlined in the DSA.
Meanwhile, there are growing concerns about the security threats posed by AI models. With cybercriminals becoming more sophisticated and the vast amount of data being used to train AI models, there is a heightened risk of data breaches. According to Jon Clay, vice president of threat intelligence at cybersecurity company Trend Micro, AI is vulnerable to hackers due to its complexity and the large amount of data it can process. This has created a “perfect storm” for potential data breaches.
In light of these developments, PYMNTS has examined the potential risks associated with AI models and the need for proper regulations to protect personal data. As AI continues to advance and become more prevalent in various industries, it is crucial to ensure that proper measures are in place to safeguard personal information.
