Italy’s Data Protection Authority has blocked the artificial intelligence app ChatGPT, created by US startup OpenAI and backed by Microsoft, due to concerns over data privacy and the app’s ability to verify users’ age. The watchdog launched an investigation after a data breach involving user conversations and payment information was reported on March 20. The authority found no legal basis for “the mass collection and storage of personal data for the purpose of ‘training’ the algorithms underlying the operation of the platform.” It also expressed concern about minors being exposed to “absolutely unsuitable answers” and gave the company 20 days to address its concerns or face a fine of up to €20m ($21.7m), or 4% of annual revenues. The move comes after Europol warned that criminals were set to use the app for cybercrime purposes.