Google was finally going to make the much-anticipated chatbot Google Bard available to a wide audience in Europe. Finally, because the Old Continent is one of the last places in the world where users do not have access to it (the only other large market where Bard does not operate is Canada). Outside Europe, Bard is available in our region. Its absence in our region is primarily the result of the chatbot not being adapted to the restrictive privacy protection regulations (GDPR) in the EU, but there were many indications that Google finally managed to deal with the problem. Now, however, we find out that Europeans will have to wait even longer for Barda.
Google has unexpectedly suspended the premiere of its chatbot in Europe
As it became known, Google was to cancel the service on the Old Continent planned for this week at the last minute. The company recently notified the Irish Data Protection Commission of its desire to launch the service in the EU, but the case has stalled due to legal uncertainties. Deputy data protection commissioner Graham Doyle told Politico that in response to the Americans’ report, the Irish authority asked Google to provide documentation on, among other things, an assessment of the impact of the launch of Barda on the privacy of Europeans and an explanation of how the company intends to protect information about its European users. He also asked the company some questions related to Barda’s GDPR compliance. However, the documents were not to reach the Irish in time.
Google Bard still unavailable in Poland photo: screenshot from bard.google.com
Doyle confirmed that the Irish commission is still waiting for Google’s explanations, but – when they appear – it will treat the matter as a priority. As he stated, it was for this reason that the company from Silicon Valley had to withdraw from the premiere planned for this week for an unspecified future. However, he added that the issue of introducing an intelligent chatbot to the EU is still pending, and the Irish intend to share information on this matter with other data protection authorities in the EU member states on an ongoing basis. “In May, we announced that we wanted to make Bard more widely available, including in the European Union, and that we would do so responsibly, after consulting with experts, regulators and policy makers. As part of this process, we spoke with privacy regulators to respond to their questions and hear their opinions,” a Google spokesperson told Politico.
Google Bard is a model of generative artificial intelligence, created by the Internet giant as a response to ChatGPT from OpenAI (heavily supported by Microsoft). Google’s plans for the chatbot were first made available in January this year, and in March the tool was made publicly available on a limited basis. In May, the service reached a wider audience. Google did not admit, however, when we can expect it in Europe. On the Old Continent, however, it has long been available to anyone interested in ChatGPT (outside Italy). Bard lovers can only use it with a VPN.
Source: Gazeta
Mabel is a talented author and journalist with a passion for all things technology. As an experienced writer for the 247 News Agency, she has established a reputation for her in-depth reporting and expert analysis on the latest developments in the tech industry.
