FameEX Hot Topics | Cautions from UK Data Watchdog to Snapchat About Risks Posed by AI Chatbots

Snapchat finds itself in hot water as it receives a stern warning from the United Kingdom's data watchdog regarding its latest artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot, known as "My AI." The regulatory update, released recently, sheds light on a situation that has caught the attention of the U.K. Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). On the 6th of October, the ICO issued a preliminary notice to Snap Inc. and Snap Group, the parent companies of Snapchat. The notice came in response to growing concerns that Snapchat might have failed in its duty to adequately evaluate the privacy risks inherent in its chatbot venture.

This preliminary enforcement notice is the outcome of a meticulous investigation carried out by the ICO. Their findings indicate that Snapchat did not appropriately identify the privacy risks associated with My AI before launching it to the public. The implications of this oversight are far-reaching, affecting millions of My AI users, including minors aged 13 to 17. John Edwards, the U.K.'s information commissioner, underscored the importance of carefully considering the risks that accompany AI technology. He stated, "Today's preliminary enforcement notice shows we will take action in order to protect U.K. consumers' privacy rights."

The notice itself outlines potential consequences for Snapchat. Should a final enforcement notice be issued, Snap may be compelled to cease data processing activities linked to My AI. This would effectively prevent the company from offering the service to its U.K.-based user base until a thorough and "adequate" risk assessment is conducted. However, it is essential to note that the ongoing investigations should not be interpreted as an admission of guilt on Snapchat's part.