Google Faces EU Scrutiny For AI Model

The European Union disclosed an investigation into Google’s artificial intelligence (AI) model, Pathways Language Model 2 (PaLM2). The probe, initiated by Ireland’s Data Protection Commission (DPC) seeks to assess whether Google has complied with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

DPC stated, “DPC has commenced a Cross-Border statutory inquiry into Google Ireland Limited (Google) under Section 110 of the Data Protection Act 2018. The statutory inquiry concerns the question of whether Google has complied with any obligations that it may have had to undertake an assessment, pursuant to Article 35[2] of the GDPR (Data Protection Impact Assessment), prior to engaging in the processing of the personal data of EU/EEA data subjects associated with the development of its foundational AI model, Pathways Language Model 2 (PaLM 2).”

The statement further added, “This statutory inquiry forms part of the wider efforts of the DPC, working in conjunction with its EU/EEA (European Economic Area) peer regulators, in regulating the processing of the personal data of EU/EEA data subjects in the development of AI models and systems.”

The investigation led by Ireland's Data Protection Commission (DPC) into Google commenced on 12 September. Last week, the Luxembourg-based Court of Justice of the European Union rejected Google’s appeal against a €2.42 billion fine imposed seven years ago for anti-competitive practices.

In addition to Google, other tech giants like X (formerly Twitter) and Meta have also faced scrutiny from the DPC. Earlier this month, the DPC ordered X to stop using user data to train its AI chatbot, Grok, until GDPR compliance could be verified. Meta was similarly instructed to halt its plans to use European users’ content to train its language model.

In 2022, Italy’s data privacy regulator also temporarily banned ChatGPT due to privacy violations.