Guide
GDPR-compliant AI translation: a checklist for media teams.
GDPR-compliant AI translation means your content is processed under a data processing agreement, in known regions, by known sub-processors, and is not used to train anyone else's models. This checklist covers what media teams should ask before content leaves the newsroom.
Last updated 19 October 2026 · 8 min read
Where your content goes
Every translation request sends content somewhere. Ask where it is processed, where it is stored and for how long.
EU company is not the same as EU hosting. Ask for the region and the provider.
Training on your data
Some services use customer content to improve shared models. For unpublished news or licensed content, that matters.
Ask for a written commitment that your content is not used to train models for others.
Checklist: five questions for your translation vendor
| Question | Why ask |
|---|---|
| Where is content processed and stored? | Why ask: GDPR transfers outside the EU need extra safeguards. |
| Is there a data processing agreement? | Why ask: Required when a processor handles personal data for you. |
| Who are the sub-processors? | Why ask: Your data may pass through more companies than you think. |
| Is content used for training? | Why ask: Unpublished content can leak into shared models. |
| Can it run on our own servers? | Why ask: Some content should never leave your infrastructure. |
This guide is information, not legal advice.