This automatic system enables any user to respond to a survey question and request an “additional language”. The emails they then receive with then automatically include a disclaimer and a translation of the message into one of 100 available languages.
Evaluation
Replies to messages can be instantly detected and translated into English. This service has been shown to increase trust in the police by people whose first language is not English by 65%
View the WMP Stats on the following Prezi.
Privacy, A.I. and GDPR data implications for translation.
We use the Google Cloud Translation API (https://cloud.google.com/translate ) to facilitate instant translation of messages into a huge range of languages. given our work with sensitive public sector messaging and GDPR the use of any data and privacy are critical and should be understood. Based on the latest official Google documentation (Apr 2025), here’s how the Cloud Translation API handles customer data:
1. No use for training or improvement
Google explicitly states:
“Google does not use any of your content for any purpose except to provide you with the Cloud Translation API service.”
And also:
“Google does not use the content you send to train and improve our Google Translation features.”
Google Cloud
2. No sharing with third parties
“We will not make the content of the text that you send available to the public. We will not share the content with any third party. The content of the text is only used by Google as necessary to provide the Cloud Translation API service.”
Google Cloud
3. Temporary in-memory processing only
Google states that text sent via the API is held briefly in memory to perform the translation and then discarded. There’s no long-term storage of the content.
Google Cloud+1
4. No ownership claim
Google does not claim ownership of your content, which includes both the input text and the translated output. You retain full ownership.
Google Cloud
GDPR Compliance & Data Processing Addendum
Google Cloud Translation API is covered by the Cloud Data Processing Addendum, part of Google’s GDPR-aligned contractual framework. This means:
-
Google acts as a data processor, handling content only per our instructions.
-
They implement strong security measures—encryption, access controls, incident response, etc.
Regional Data Handling & Residency Considerations
Be aware:
-
Basic Translation, Advanced Translation, and AutoML Translation all use global endpoints, meaning data may be processed outside your region and cannot be strictly confined to Europe.
What about Google’s AI training practices?
You might have seen references to AI models like Bard or other Cloud AI services being trained on web data. However, those apply to Google's public-facing AI offerings, not the Cloud Translation API, which is explicitly not used for training or model improvement. So your sensitive messaging won't be incorporated into their AI models.
Summary Table
| Concern | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Use for training / model improvement | Not used—data strictly used to provide translation service |
| Sharing with third parties | Not shared—only you and Google (for processing) under NDA |
| Long-term storage | No—only temporary in-memory processing, no persistent storage |
| Data ownership | Remains yours—Google claims no ownership of your input/output |
| GDPR compliance | Yes—covered under Data Processing Addendum |
| Regional data residency | Global endpoints—cannot guarantee EU-only processing |
Final Take
Yes, you can confidently use the Google Cloud Translation API for translating public messaging—messages are processed securely, not stored or reused, and are not processed for AI model training.
Want to know more?
Book a free Microsoft Teams online demonstration at your convenience with Neighbourhood Alert Product Director: Mike Douglas using this link: https://calendly.com/visavmike
View other Neighbourhood Policing Tools
Comments
0 comments
Please sign in to leave a comment.