While some nations are eager to employ ChatGPT and comparable artificial intelligence (AI) tools, others are pushing for regulation, and still others have outright prohibited their usage. Here are some of the nations that have already banned ChatGPT, albeit the effectiveness of such restrictions may be called into question.
What countries have banned ChatGPT?
At the time of writing, there are seven countries where ChatGPT is effectively banned by their respective governments and ruling parties.
The list includes:
Due to privacy issues, several of these nations have outlawed the application, while others—most notably North Korea, China, and Russia—have accused the United States of using ChatGPT to propagate false information.
In which countries has ChatGPT been banned by Open AI?
The developer of ChatGPT, OpenAI, has not only implemented national bans but has also prevented the use of ChatGPT in a number of nations. As of this writing, those are on the list:
OpenAI also previously banned Ukraine from using ChatGPT due to its inability to specifically block Crimea, which is currently under Russian occupation. However, that ban has since been lifted and Ukraine can now access ChatGPT.
OpenAI maintains a list of countries that can use its API, which you can find here. However, that list is not exhaustive, so through omission, blocks, or bans, the following countries also cannot use ChatGPT:
Why is ChatGPT Banned in Italy?
Italy was the first Western and European nation to outlaw ChatGPT, which led some to wonder if other Western nations would follow suit. It was prohibited after the nation's data protection authorities demanded that OpenAI cease using ChatGPT to process the personal data of Italian citizens and conform with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
The prohibition might only be temporary, though, since Italian regulators assert that if OpenAI brought ChatGPT back into compliance with GDPR, the prohibition would be lifted.
