Tech giants, researchers, and industry groups wrote an open letter, speaking against the EU’s “fragmented” laws regarding data privacy.
The companies complained that each member state has a different interpretation of the GDPR rules, making it harder to use the data of EU citizens in AI training.
The companies also warned that if the EU doesn’t change its ways, it might soon fall behind in the AI race.
On Thursday, several major tech companies such as Meta, Google, and Spotify spoke against the EU’s new data privacy policy that has the potential to stifle AI development.
Together, along with researchers and industry groups, they also penned down an open letter (which is also endorsed by Italian luxury fashion brand Prada) explaining that Europe might fall behind other countries in terms of AI innovation if it keeps imposing such rules.
About the Letter
The main concern of the letter is with regard to the new additions to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) – a set of data privacy rules that were initially introduced in 2018.
The companies say that the language of the GDPR is very vague and it’s hard to understand what kind of data can be legally used to train AI. They described the laws as “fragmented and unpredictable regulatory decisions“.
What it basically means is that there are varying interpretations of the GDPR laws in each member state. This in turn is preventing businesses from making any significant development in the region.
For example, Meta (owner of Instagram, Facebook, and Whatsapp) has already suspended its plans to use the data of European citizens under the pressure of its strict privacy laws. It also delayed the launch of its new platform Threads by several months owing to similar regulatory issues.
Google also delayed the release of certain products. This is clearly an industry-wide issue.
Right now, what they are seeking is “harmonized, consistent, quick and clear decisions” from the regulators.
It’s quite natural that these tech giants have a problem with strict regulations, which prevent them from ‘having their own way’. There have been many instances where businesses have been found using users’ personal data for AI training purposes without user consent, the latest example being LinkedIn.
As journalist Cory Doctorow said in this recent speech at the DEFCON, regulations prevent companies from enshittifying their products and exploiting users.
For a long time, tech giants formed uncontrolled monopolies and became bigger than the regulators. However, all that is now melting away with strict legislation being passed around the world. Regulators have become serious about users’ privacy rights and these tech companies are obviously pissed.
And this whole ‘falling behind in the AI race‘ seems to be a lame excuse to ease up the rules that aren’t serving them well.
What Does the EU Have to Say About This?
Although an EU spokesperson addressed the letter, what they said didn’t make the matter any clearer. They simply repeated the same thing – all companies operating in the EU are expected to abide by the rules.
And when the EU asks you to follow the rules, you follow the rules or be ready to face the consequences of your actions.
The bloc is very strict about data privacy. Big tech giants like Meta have already gotten into trouble countless times for violating rules. It has a record fine exceeding one billion euros under GDPR.
This isn’t the first time that tech companies have warned the EU about falling behind. But for the bloc, its people have always been more important.
For the same reason, it also made the first step in introducing a standard regulatory framework for AI through the AI Act to prevent the misuse of this technology and promote sustainable development.
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