snapchat is in the crosshairs of data protection authorities in great Britain due to concerns regarding artificial intelligence-powered chatbots, known as My AIand its impact on the privacy of children in the country.

My AI Snapchat, launched in February 2023, is powered by OpenAI’s massive language model, ChatGPT, and is designed to be a virtual friend that users can consult for advice or send messages. While initially only available to subscribers to Snapchat+, the premium version of the platform, access was later expanded to free users.

The UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has issued an initial compliance notice to the app, noting what it describes as a “possible failure to adequately assess the privacy risks posed by its chatbot.” generative artificial intelligence My AI”.

The notice highlights that the regulator has concerns about whether the social network has taken adequate steps to ensure that My AI complies with data protection rules, which include the Design for Children Code from 2021.

According to the ICO, “data protection risk assessment is particularly important in this context, which involves the use of innovative technologies and the processing of personal data of children aged 13 to 17.”

Snapchat will have the opportunity to respond to regulators’ concerns before the ICO makes a final decision on whether the company has breached data protection regulations.

The Snapchat platform responded to the review notice by highlighting its commitment to protecting the privacy of its users. A Snap spokesperson said: “We are committed to protecting our users’ privacy. Following our standard approach to product development, My AI went through a rigorous legal and privacy review process before being released to the public.”