Rome Court Overturns €15 Million Fine on OpenAI

A Rome court has annulled a €15 million fine imposed on OpenAI by Italy's data protection authority, Garante, over alleged misuse of personal data by ChatGPT. The court did not immediately provide reasons for the ruling. OpenAI welcomed the decision, emphasizing its commitment to user privacy.

A Rome court has overturned a €15-million ($17 million) fine that Italy's data protection authority, Garante, had imposed on OpenAI, the makers of ChatGPT. The ruling, made public on Thursday, did not immediately include an explanation.

OpenAI expressed its satisfaction with the decision, reiterating its dedication to user privacy and its desire to bring AI benefits to Italian users and society. The data protection body, however, opted not to comment on the development.

The fine, initially issued in December 2024, accused OpenAI of unlawfully using personal data through its generative AI platform, ChatGPT. OpenAI had labeled the sanction as disproportionate and lodged an appeal. In March 2025, the court had provisionally suspended the fine pending a decision on the case's merits. At that time, one euro equaled $1.1472.

(With inputs from agencies.)