Japan’s Personal Information Protection Commission is reviewing a proposal to remove the requirement for prior consent when using sensitive personal data for AI development.

Currently, companies must obtain consent to collect data like race, social status, medical history, and criminal records.

Chief cabinet secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said that the government is assessing how to balance personal rights with data use.

AI relies on vast datasets for accuracy, but developers either need consent or must exclude sensitive information.

The commission suggests that analyzed AI learning data may not require consent if it does not infringe on personal rights.

The government is also considering fines for data protection violations.