Sen. Markey questions OpenAI about ‘deceptive advertising’ in ChatGPT
Senator Markey is questioning OpenAI and other tech CEOs regarding the privacy and consumer protection risks of embedding ads into AI chatbots like ChatGPT.Summary
Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) sent letters to the CEOs of OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Meta, Microsoft, Snap, and xAI, expressing significant concerns over embedding advertisements into AI chatbots like ChatGPT. Markey argues that this move poses risks to consumer protection, privacy, and the safety of young users, potentially allowing companies to "prey on the very relationships their systems have fostered" due to a user's "emotional connection" to the chatbot. While OpenAI plans to test ads for free users—excluding those under 18 or conversations about health/politics—Markey questions whether sensitive information discussed in chats will still be used to personalize ads in future interactions. He demands assurances that AI companies will not use personal or sensitive user data for targeted advertising and that chatbots will not become systems designed to covertly manipulate users. The companies have until February 12th to respond to his inquiries.
(Source：The Verge)