Google Bard Now Available in the EU After Addressing Privacy Concerns: Lessons for Compliance Teams

Google's AI language model, Bard, is finally available in the European Union after a temporary delay due to privacy concerns raised by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) has given its approval, stating that Google has provided sufficient information to address EU privacy worries.

Google Bard, which was launched in March in multiple countries, encountered an extended setback in Europe due to the stringent personal data protections enforced by the GDPR. However, after a meeting between Google executives and staff with the Irish DPC, the EU's privacy concerns were seemingly alleviated. Although details of the meeting remain largely undisclosed, Google's engineering vice president, Amar Subramanya, mentioned that Google Bard is being equipped with an option to opt-out of personal data collection, a measure that appears to have satisfied regulators.

The AI tool has now expanded its availability to over 230 countries, including Brazil, marking a significant milestone for Google. The Irish DPC's consent allows Google to offer its AI services to users in the EU, a market with considerable importance and a heightened focus on data protection and privacy rights.

Lessons for Compliance Officers and Data Privacy Professionals

1. Proactive Engagement with Regulators: Google's successful resolution of EU privacy concerns highlights the importance of engaging proactively with data protection authorities. Compliance officers and privacy professionals should be prepared to engage in open dialogue with regulators to address concerns and demonstrate their commitment to privacy compliance.
2. Transparency and Information Sharing: Providing comprehensive information about data processing practices and privacy safeguards is crucial. Compliance officers should ensure that their organizations are transparent about data collection, usage, and retention policies, and be ready to provide additional information to regulators as needed.
3. Data Minimization and User Control: Implementing data minimization strategies and offering users control over their data are critical to comply with privacy regulations like the GDPR. Compliance officers should work with product teams to incorporate privacy-by-design principles, giving users meaningful choices about their data.
4. Impact Assessments: Conducting data protection impact assessments can help organizations identify and mitigate potential privacy risks associated with new AI technologies or data processing activities. Compliance officers should work closely with relevant teams to conduct thorough assessments and involve data protection authorities where required.
5. Monitoring Regulatory Developments: Staying informed about evolving privacy regulations and guidance is essential for compliance officers. As seen with Google Bard and other AI language models, compliance requirements can evolve rapidly, and being aware of regulatory changes can help organizations adapt and stay ahead of potential compliance challenges.
6. Collaboration with Industry Peers: The EU's concerns about generative AI and large language models extend beyond Google Bard. Compliance officers and data privacy professionals can benefit from industry collaborations and knowledge-sharing initiatives to tackle common privacy challenges collectively.

The availability of Google Bard in the EU signals a significant step forward for the company's AI endeavors. The approval from the Irish DPC serves as a reminder for organizations to prioritize privacy compliance and adopt proactive measures to address regulatory concerns effectively.