A preliminary investigation by a British regulatory body has raised concerns about the risk assessment practices related to My AI, a feature on the popular social media platform, Snapchat. This development puts the parent company, Snap, under scrutiny, with the potential for significant consequences, including a ban on My AI in the United Kingdom.
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has voiced its reservations, asserting that Snap did not adequately evaluate the data protection risks associated with the generative AI employed in My AI. This evaluation holds particular importance, as Snap’s use of innovative technology involves the processing of personal data belonging to children between the ages of 13 and 17.
While these findings are in a preliminary stage, they will be communicated to Snap for further review. Snap now has an opportunity to respond to the concerns raised. However, it’s worth noting that the ICO is considering the possibility of prohibiting Snap from processing personal data for My AI. If this restriction is imposed, it could effectively result in a ban on My AI for British users until Snap conducts a comprehensive and satisfactory risk analysis.
My AI was initially introduced by Snap in February, exclusively for Snapchat+ subscribers. Later, it became available to all Snapchat users. My AI is a chatbot powered by ChatGPT, which initially encouraged users to arrange physical meetings. However, Snap later modified the rules of My AI to discourage such in-person meetings.
The situation regarding My AI is not limited to the United Kingdom. In the Netherlands, there is also potential for an investigation into My AI. In the previous month, the Dutch Data Protection Authority announced that it had initiated an inquiry into a tech company, particularly popular among children, which employs a chatbot. This suggests that concerns over data protection and technology usage are not confined to one jurisdiction but are gaining international attention.
