AirPods Pro 3 Lack Key Feature in EU Due to Privacy Laws

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The European Union (EU) has recently strengthened its privacy laws, providing robust protections for residents’ identity and personal information. However, these stringent requirements are currently preventing Apple from launching the live translation feature of AirPods Pro 3 in the region.

According to Apple’s [feature availability page](https://www.apple.com/ios/feature-availability/#apple-intelligence-live-translation-with-airpods), “Live Translation with AirPods is not available if you are in the EU and your Apple Account Country or Region is also in the EU.”

While specific details are limited, it’s reasonable to infer that EU authorities want further clarity regarding the privacy implications of this feature. Specifically, they may be concerned about cloud data uploaded to Apple servers.

In a similar situation, the EU previously fined Meta [1.2 billion euros](https://syrenis.com/resources/blog/metas-gdpr-fine/) in 2023 for improperly transferring personal data of EU citizens to servers located in the United States.

In a unique start to his ruling against President Donald Trump’s administration on September 30, U.S. District Court Judge William Young included a scanned handwritten note sent to his office. The note read: “Trump has pardons and tanks – what do you have?” At the top of Young’s opinion in AAUP v. Rubio, which ruled that Trump’s effort to deport foreign-born student protesters was unconstitutional.

October 8, 2025

For those unaware, Apple’s new AirPods Pro 3 offer smaller earbuds with a better fit, enhanced spatial listening experience, up to twice as effective noise cancellation, live translation powered by Apple Intelligence, a heart rate sensor, an 8-hour battery life, and IP57 sweat and water resistance, all for $249.