The Italian Data Protection Authority, a local privacy regulator, announced the launch of a “fact-finding” investigation on Nov. 22, in which it will look into the practice of data gathering to train artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms.
The investigation aims to verify the adoption of appropriate security measures on public and private websites to prevent “web scraping” of personal data used for AI training via third parties from “the ‘spiders’ of the manufacturers of artificial intelligence algorithms.”
According to the regulator, this “fact-finding survey” applies to all public and private subjects operating as data controllers, established in Italy, or offering services in Italy that provide freely accessible personal data online.
Although it did not name specific companies, it said that it is “in fact” known that “various AI platforms” scrape the web for the purpose of collecting large quantities of personal data. It said that after the investigation, it would take any necessary measures “even urgently.”
In July, Google was hit with a class-action lawsuit in the United States over its new AI data-scraping privacy policy across its web services for its own AI algorithmic training purposes.
Italian regulators invited AI industry experts, academics and others to participate in the process and share views or comments within 60 days.
The Italian privacy watchdog was one of the first to scrutinize AI after it banned the popular AI chatbot ChatGPT from operating in Italy due to privacy breaches in March 2023. In May, Italy set aside millions of euros in a designated fund for workers at risk of AI replacement.
Earlier this week, Italy, France and Germany entered into an agreement on future AI regulation, according to a joint paper seen by Reuters. The agreement is expected to help further similar negotiations at the European Union level.
The three countries backed the idea of creating voluntary commitments for large and small AI providers in the European Union.
JD Vance has said he does not want the UK to go down a “very dark path” of losing free speech during a meeting with the foreign secretary at his country estate.
The US vice president has previously raised concerns that free speech is being eroded in the UK.
However, during a two-day visit to David Lammy’s grace and favour 115-room mansion, Chevening House in Kent, Mr Vance kept his criticism a bit more low key.
Asked about free speech in the UK during a televised meeting of the two men, Mr Vance said he has “raised concerns” about free speech in his own country and accused the West of “censoring rather than engaging” with different opinions.
He said: “I think the entire collective West, the transatlantic relationship, our NATO allies, certainly the United States under the Biden administration, got a little too comfortable with censoring rather than engaging with a diverse array of opinions. So that’s been my view.
“Obviously, I’ve raised some criticism, concerns about our friends on this side of the Atlantic.
“But the thing that I’d say to the people of England or anybody else, to David, is many of the things that I worry most about were happening in the United States from 2020 to 2024.
“I just don’t want other countries to follow us down what I think was a very dark path under the Biden administration.”
Mr Lammy, who has struck up the unlikely relationship over the past few months, did not comment on Mr Vance’s indirect criticism.
Image: The two politicians went fishing on the Chevening estate. Pic: Reuters
Image: Mr Vance revealed he caught a few fish but Mr Lammy was not so successful. Pic: Reuters
In February, when Sir Keir Starmer was carrying out a similar televised meeting with Donald Trump in the Oval Office, Mr Vance said “infringements on free speech” now do not just affect the British, but also American tech companies – “and by extension American citizens”.
Sir Keir quickly interjected, saying: “We’ve had free speech for a very long time, it will last a long time, and we are very proud of that.”
Mr Vance and his family are staying with Mr Lammy at Chevening for two days before heading to the Cotswolds for a summer holiday.
The vice president was effusive in his praise for the grand estate that comes with Mr Lammy’s job, saying “being here lifts up the human spirit” as he thanked the “people of England” for having such a “beautiful place for foreigners like me to come and talk about the issues of the day”.
The two politicians went fishing ahead of their meeting, with Mr Vance revealing he caught a few, while all three of his children caught a fish but Mr Lammy did not.
He also said his children had fallen asleep on the floor of the large house, and his three-year-old daughter kept asking if she would see Mr Lammy’s daughter.
Mr Lammy posted a picture of him and Mr Vance laughing as they fished, saying it was a “real pleasure” to welcome the Vance family and the vice president “gave me fishing tips, Kentucky style”.
JD Vance confirmed he will holiday in Scotland next week in a trip that could see up to 1,000 police officers deployed as part of security efforts.
He confirmed his Scottish trip during talks with Mr Lammy on Friday.
Sky News understands the Vance family are likely to visit Ayrshire, the same area where Mr Trump recently stayed where he secured a trade deal with the European Union.
Police sources have suggested approximately 1,000 officers will be working across the visit to ensure the vice president and his loved ones are safe, Sky News’ Scotland correspondent Conner Gillies reported.
Police Scotland declined to comment on the specifics.
It is understood the Vance family will not be staying at Trump Turnberry, the luxury Ayrshire resort owned by the US president himself.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Planning is under way for a potential visit to Scotland by the vice president of the United States.
“Details of any visit would be for the White House to comment on, however it is important that we prepare in advance for what would be a significant policing operation.”