Apple to Block Online Translation Feature on AirPods for European Users
Credit: Apple
According to information on Apple’s website, the “Apple Intelligence: Live Translation” feature on AirPods will not work for users located in the EU and whose account country or region is set to the EU.
Apple has not disclosed the reasons for these restrictions, but they are likely due to pressure from the current legislation in the region and local industry regulators. As a reminder, the EU Law on Artificial Intelligence and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) set strict requirements for the provision of interpretation services. It is possible that local regulators will want to study in more detail how Apple’s new feature works and how it affects privacy, data processing, citizens’ rights, etc.
The company is using the temporary suspension to carry out additional technical checks and legal procedures to ensure that its products fully comply with EU law. Live Translation is available on the third-generation AirPods Pro and will be available on the fourth-generation AirPods with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and second-generation AirPods Pro.
