by Updated: March 3, 2023 at 14.40
With the growing trend of integrating AI-powered chatbots into software products, concerns are being raised about potential risks.
While some companies are free to launch such products on their own platforms, those using third-party app stores may face difficulties.
This Thursday, Apple blocked the integration of OpenAI’s ChatGPT into an email app called BlueMail, delaying approval of an update that introduced AI-powered functionality to email.
Why has Apple blocked ChatGPT?
The feature is designed to help users write emails by pulling text from previous emails to write new ones, but there are concerns about the possibility of it generating inappropriate content for minors.
Apple has requested that BlueMail revise its age limit or implement content filtering in response to concerns about the app’s potential to expose children to inappropriate content.
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The BlueMail boss criticizes Apple’s decision
Blix CEO and founder Ben Volach has criticized Apple’s decision, saying it is unfair and discriminatory against BlueMail.
In an interview with the WSJ, he called the request “unfair,” pointing out that there are similar AI-powered apps on the App Store without such restrictions.
Apple’s decision to block the BlueMail update has raised questions about the company’s policies regarding AI-powered apps and the potential impact on their availability in the App Store.
The conflict between BlueMail and Apple goes beyond just the last block of the app’s ChatGPT integration. In fact, Blix, the developer of BlueMail, has a history of clashes with Apple. Blix was one of the founders of the Coalition for App Fairness, a group set up to challenge the commission that Apple takes from the App Store. In addition, Blix has filed antitrust lawsuits against Apple several times in the past.
BlueMail has also struggled to gain traction on the App Store. In 2019, the app was removed from the storefront for violating guidelines related to data security. Although the app was restored a few days later, Blix filed a lawsuit against Apple alleging that the tech giant suppresses competition by lowering BlueMail’s ranking in search results and listings.
The recent blocking of BlueMail’s ChatGPT integration by Apple is just the latest episode in the ongoing conflict between the two companies. It remains to be seen whether Blix’s complaints will be addressed by Apple or whether the conflict will escalate further.
Last word
This incident highlights the challenges and potential risks associated with integrating AI-powered chatbots and language models into applications.
While these technologies have the potential to improve user experiences and increase efficiency, they must be carefully designed and monitored to ensure they do not generate inappropriate or harmful content.
As companies continue to integrate AI into their products, they must be prepared to address these concerns and work closely with regulators and platform providers to ensure compliance with security and content standards.
