Italy’s data watchdog opens probe into OpenAI’s Sora application

By Giovanni Legorano

ROME (AA) - Italy’s Data Protection Authority (DPA) on Friday said that it launched an investigation into Open AI’s new application Sora, which creates short videos from text instructions.

“Given the possible implications that the ‘Sora’ service could have on the processing of users’ personal data in the European Union and in Italy in particular, the Authority has asked OpenAI to provide a number of clarifications,” the DPA said in a statement.

OpenAI couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.

The company will have to clarify within 20 days whether the new AI model is already available to the public and whether it is or will be offered to users in the EU, particularly in Italy, the DPA said.

It added that it asked OpenAI to clarify a number of issues, such as how the service’s algorithm is trained and what data will be collected and processed to train such an algorithm, especially when it is personal data.

It also asked the company to provide clarifications on whether specific categories of data, such as religious beliefs, political opinions, or health information are collected and which sources are used.

“In the event that the service is or will be offered to users located in the EU, the DPA asked OpenAI to state whether the methods envisaged for informing users and non-users about data processing procedures and the legal bases for said processing comply with the European Regulation,” the DPA said.