LONDON, Oct 6, (Agencies): The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has issued a warning regarding the potential closure of the My AI feature in the UK following a preliminary investigation. The US-based company, Snap, which owns Snapchat, has stated that it is carefully reviewing the initial findings.

My AI is a feature that allows users to engage in conversations with a computer program designed to mimic human interaction. Snapchat characterizes it as an "evolving feature" powered by ChatGPT, an online AI tool known for convincingly imitating realistic responses.

Snap, the parent company of Snapchat, made headlines earlier this year by becoming the first social media platform to introduce an AI-powered chat function. With 21 million users in the UK, including many children, concerns have arisen regarding the potential privacy risks for users aged 13 to 17, prompting the ICO's interest.

Snap has expressed its willingness to cooperate with the ICO following the issuance of a preliminary notice. The company emphasized that it had conducted a comprehensive legal and privacy review before launching the My AI function. It's crucial to note that the ICO's findings are not yet final, and no data protection laws have been conclusively breached at this stage.

The preliminary notice serves as a signal to Snap to ensure that My AI complies with data protection regulations, including the Children's Design Code. The code consists of 15 standards that online services must adhere to, ensuring the protection of children's data online.

The ICO has indicated that if a final enforcement notice is issued, Snap may not be able to offer the My AI function to UK users until the company conducts an adequate risk assessment.

Snap describes My AI as an "experimental and friendly" chatbot designed to serve as a personal assistant to Snapchat users. It can assist with tasks like planning day trips or creating menus and reportedly handles over two million chats per day on the platform.

Although Snap has made progress in enhancing My AI's capabilities since its launch, the company acknowledges that occasional errors and biased responses may occur. Users are advised not to rely solely on its advice.

There have also been concerns raised about whether My AI can access private information such as location data. Snap clarifies that Snapchat can only access location data with the user's consent.

Given the young user base of Snapchat, questions have arisen about whether these users truly comprehend the implications of data collection. Snap emphasizes its commitment to privacy as a foundational value and the importance of safeguarding users' privacy rights.

Information Commissioner John Edwards expressed concern over Snap's failure to adequately identify and assess privacy risks to children and other users before launching My AI. He emphasized the need for organizations to consider both the benefits and risks associated with AI.

In cases of serious breaches, the ICO has the authority to impose fines of £17.5 million or 4% of a company's annual worldwide turnover from the preceding financial year, whichever is higher.

A spokesperson for Snap stated that they are carefully reviewing the ICO's provisional decision and reiterated their commitment to user privacy. They also emphasized the rigorous legal and privacy review process that My AI underwent before being made publicly available. Snap intends to collaborate with the ICO to address any concerns and ensure compliance with risk assessment procedures. Snap will have the opportunity to respond to the regulator's concerns before a final decision is made.