ChatGPT is the famous generative AI of OpenAI since its launch it has shocked the world, for months now there has been no talk of anything else. Unfortunately, as of today, in compliance with a pronouncement by the Italian privacy guarantor, the site is inaccessible from Italy.
Even Italian users trying to use the have problems new version of Bing that only old web results are found instead of those made by ChatGPT. In this article, we will therefore see all the methods that work to overcome the block and to continue using ChatGPT and Bing without limitations.
Why Italy has blocked ChatGPT
It was officially announced on March 30, 2023 by the Guarantor for the Protection of Personal Data (GPDP), the Italian Personal Data Protection Authority, the ban on the use of ChatGPT which will take effect immediately and will be active until ChatGPT complies with the rules of the EU GDPR.
The reasons for the guarantor’s pronouncement have unleashed a hornet’s nest of controversy on the net; it all started in recent days, when ChatGPT confirmed that due to a bug fixed some users had accessed the list of commands issued by other users. But the risk to privacy in this case would not be at all striking, as this data would not have had the possibility to trace back to the owners.
ChatGPT is a generative AI and as such it is not a search engine, so it is very unlikely that it can be used for sensitive searches. Indeed, the use for sensitive topics (such as those concerning health), of ChatGPT is strongly discouraged as the AI could give misleading results (very likely but not true).
Only the Italian guarantor moved in such a restrictive sense for a corrected bug. It is hoped that the measure will be withdrawn as soon as possible but in the meantime these are the main issues that are being contested:
1. Violation of Privacy Laws
ChatGPT is an AI that needs to be trained; the chatbot continues to provide and process user data to provide better and more relevant answers.
2. Collection of personal data
The GPDP argues that, other than violating privacy laws, there is no legal justification for OpenAI’s massive collection and processing of personal data to train ChatGPT’s algorithms.
3. The lack of transparency
The Italian regulator noted as a further violation of EU privacy laws that OpenAI does not inform users about how their personal data is collected.
4. Risk of systems breach
Just the violation at the beginning of this paragraph has highlighted the possibility that criminals can use ChatGPT to commit fraud and computer crimes, fueling concerns.
5. Lack of age verification
The GPDP has found that ChatGPT exposes the system to users under 13 without their consent, violating the EU GDPR. ChatGPT’s lack of age-detection mechanisms has been cited as the cause of the problem.
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How to overcome the ChatGPT block
The ban on the use of ChatGPT in Italy could improve the system and have global repercussions. Users who want to continue using the chatbot in Italy have solutions available.
Use a VPN to bypass ChatGPT blocking
By their very nature, VPN services are perfect for bypass territorial blocks; in fact, they work in a very simple way, encrypting incoming traffic and sending it to VPN servers, making sure that the connection comes from another point.
Understand that a VPN is perfect for getting around this type of blocking to which ChatGPT has been subjected.
Even a simple free VPN is fine for the purpose. Obviously, if you want better performance and fewer warnings asking if you are a human being, you have to opt for one of the paid services. We have dedicated a popular guide to the best paid VPN services.
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Bypass ChatGPT blocking using Opera browser (desktop)
We talked about free VPNs, one of the best is implemented on the Opera browser. To use it on desktop you just need:
- go to the site and download the executable suitable for the system of your Windows, Mac or Linux device (don’t worry the site will suggest it to you, just click on the blue button “Download Opera“);
- once the download is complete, double click on the executable and proceed with the installation (it is similar on every system and has no traps);
- once the installation is complete you can launch Opera and set up your VPN (just do it the first time);
- click at the top right on the menu button characterized by horizontal and vertical lines;
- scroll down to the item “Privacy and security” and click on the button next to the item “VPNs“;
- in the page that opens, select the items highlighted “Turn on the VPN“, Connect to the VPN when you launch your browser” And “Activate default search engines Bypassing the VPN“.
At this point you can use the ChatGPT site without problems, if it should still show you the lock screen. Just click on the bar on the blue VPN button and choose in the drop-down menu “Americas” in place of optimal position.
Bypass ChatGPT blocking using Opera browser (mobile)
The Opera browser is also available on mobile (therefore on Android and iOS) and offers the same convenient VPN, here’s how to use it to bypass the Italian block on ChatGPT.
- download the browser from the Play Store or App Store;
- open the app, press the little man icon at the bottom and then the “” buttonVPNs“;
- a screen will open where you can choose the location it is recommended to use “America“
- so you can go back and use ChatGPT.
ChatGPT asks me if I’m human often what to do?
A lot of users will use free VPNs to get around the block imposed by the guarantor. So many requests to the service will come from a very small number of IP addresses, this is typically suspicious behavior.
So often you may see captchas like the one in the screen that will ask you if you are human. Rest assured the service will continue to work, only that such controls could slow down your workflow.
To make them disappear, a good solution is to switch to a paid VPN, they are used by fewer users and typically offer a greater number of IP addresses which they renew often.
Why doesn’t simple DNS change work?
The simple change of the DNS which serves to block many sites blocked in Italy, such as some well-known pirate sites, it doesn’t work in this case.
The reason is soon to be said: this time not only has the domain been removed from our DNS but in compliance with the provision, ChatGPT has also limited access to our users who have an Italian IP address.
