In late March, Italy banned the popular AI (artificial intelligence) chatbot, ChatGPT, over “unlawful collection of personal data.” The nation became Europe‘s first country to move against the platform. After ChatGPT, Italy has now revealed concerns with another giant tech company, Meta.
The Italian antitrust authority said on Friday that it had taken action against Meta, for allegedly abusing its position in the country. The agency disclosed that it is investigating a case involving the rights to music shared on the group’s platforms. Meta currently owns WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook, which are some of the biggest social media platforms in the world.
What move has Italy taken against Meta?
In an effort to renew copyright licenses, Meta and Italy’s SIAE (Italian Society of Authors and Publishers) could not come to terms last month. As a result, from March 16, all music published by SIAE has been prohibited on its platforms. Italy’s watchdog ordered Meta to pick up the conversation with SIAE after claiming that Meta’s actions were hurting market competition.
The move from Italy comes amid the nation’s ban on ChatGPT over privacy issues. However, the authorities have said that they would lift the ban if the company complies with the nation’s privacy laws, and made restrictions for minors. Data Protection Authority chief Pasquale Stanzione stated that the nation is willing to lift the ban as early as April 30, given that OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, takes “useful steps.”
On the other hand, Meta has just begun its second round of layoffs. According to reports, employees in India will also be affected by the second round of layoffs. However, the number of people being let go has not been revealed. The technology giant seems to have found itself in quite a predicament. At press time, Meta stock was trading at $213.07, down 1.22% today.