Google's generative AI service, Bard, has reportedly been blocked from launching in the European Union by the Irish Data Protection Commission due to privacy concerns. Despite launching in the US, UK, and 178 other countries earlier this year, Google has been unable to bring Bard to the EU.

The DPC stated that Google had not provided any detailed briefing or supporting documentation, leading to the postponement of the launch. The EU's stricter approach to AI regulation, as outlined in the proposed AI Act, seeks to align governance of AI technologies with the General Data Protection Regulation.