Data

Azure Translator and the GDPR: AI training, data location and DPA

S1 pay as you go: Doesn't train on your data. EU hosting available · DPA in the terms.

Vendor: Microsoft CorporationWriting and emailChecked on How we check

Verdict

Is Azure Translator GDPR compliant?

S1 pay as you go

Business

Doesn't train on your data

EU hosting available · DPA in the terms

Price: See details

No tool is GDPR compliant on its own: that depends on how your business uses it. This page shows the vendor's side, from its own pages. It is not legal advice.

Training

Does Azure Translator train on your data?

Trains on your data by default?

Checked

Doesn't train on your data.

No: Microsoft states text and audio submitted to Translator are not written to storage and are not used for training.

Vendor's wording: “The audio and text will not be used for training purposes either.”

Source: microsoft.comNo TraceChecked on

Location

Where does Azure Translator store your data?

Where data is stored by default

Checked

Depends on endpoint: the global endpoint uses the closest datacentre; Document Translation processes and temporarily stores content in the region where you created the resource.

Vendor's wording: “The region where you create the Translator resource determines where document content is processed and temporarily stored during translation.”

Source: learn.microsoft.comPlan where documents are processedChecked on

EU hosting on this plan

Checked

EU hosting available.

Yes: the Europe endpoint (api-eur) processes text translation in France Central or West Europe; Switzerland resources process in Switzerland. Document Translation follows the resource region.

Vendor's wording: “Europe, except Switzerland: api-eur.cognitive.microsofttranslator.com France Central or West Europe.”

Source: learn.microsoft.comStandard NMT endpointsChecked on

Contract

Does Azure Translator sign a data processing agreement?

Data processing agreement (DPA)

Checked

DPA in the terms.

Yes: the Microsoft Products and Services Data Protection Addendum is part of the terms for Azure subscriptions and applies automatically.

Vendor's wording: “the data processing and security terms are defined in Microsoft Online Services Data Protection Addendum (DPA)”

Source: microsoft.comDPA overviewChecked on

Processors

Who else handles Azure Translator data?

EU–US Data Privacy Framework

Checked

On the list.

Active (Microsoft Corporation; EU-US DPF, Swiss-US DPF, UK Extension)

Source: dataprivacyframework.govSearch 'Microsoft Corporation'Checked on

Retention

How long does Azure Translator keep your data?

How long data is kept

Checked

Text translation stores nothing. Document translation holds data temporarily while processing, then hard-deletes it. Custom Translator training documents stay in your chosen Azure region until you delete them or your account expires.

Vendor's wording: “Document translation temporarily stores customer data while processing.”

Source: learn.microsoft.comDoes Translator keep my data?Checked on

Security

Which certifications and admin controls does Azure Translator have?

Security certifications

Checked

ISO 27001, 27017, 27018, 9001 and 20000-1; SOC 1, 2 and 3; CSA STAR; HITRUST CSF; PCI DSS; FedRAMP High; HIPAA BAA (about 11 listed).

Vendor's wording: “Translator is ISO certified with five certifications applicable to the service.”

Source: microsoft.comComplianceChecked on

The vendor doesn't say: sub-processors, admin controls, price.

Alternatives

Azure Translator alternatives that don't train on your data

Other writing and email tools whose business plan doesn't train on your data and includes a DPA.

The five marks, in order: No AI training · EU hosting · DPA · Sub-processors listed · DPF or EU vendor. ✓ meets it, ✕ doesn't, – partly, ? not stated.

Tool · PlanVerdictYour five rules
  • Gmail with Gemini

    Google Workspace Business Standard · See details

    Doesn't train on your dataEU hosting available · DPA in the terms

    ✓✓✓✓✓

  • Google Translate in Google Workspace

    Business Standard · €13.60 / user / mo

    Doesn't train on your dataEU hosting available · DPA in the terms

    ✓✓✓✓✓

  • LanguageTool

    Team · €56.90 / user / yr

    Doesn't train on your dataData in the EU by default · DPA on request

    ✓✓✓✓✓

  • Hunter

    Growth · See details

    Doesn't train on your dataData in the EU by default · DPA in the terms

    ✓✓✓✓✕

  • Outlook with Copilot

    Microsoft 365 Business Standard with Copilot · See details

    Doesn't train on your dataEU hosting available · DPA in the terms

    ✓✓✓–✓

Need something your tools can't do?

We design and build what your team is missing, around the way you already work and the data rules you set.

Book a callServices