- Meta AI rolls out in 41 European countries, delayed by privacy rules.
- Only text-based help, no image features like in India or the US.
- Available on WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger.
Meta has finally brought its Meta AI assistant to Europe after a year of delays caused by tough EU privacy laws. It’s now live in 41 countries and 21 territories, like Iceland and Serbia, making it the biggest rollout yet. You can use it on WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger to chat, plan trips, or get answers from the web. But unlike in India or the US, this version sticks to text only—no making or editing pictures—because of strict rules about how AI can use data.
The delay happened because EU regulators, especially in Ireland, worried about privacy under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). They stopped Meta from training its AI with public posts from EU users on Facebook and Instagram. Meta told The Verge they worked hard with regulators for a year and made a text-only version that doesn’t use EU user info. They promise to keep improving it and add more features later while following the rules.
For now, Meta AI in Europe helps with simple stuff like brainstorming or finding Instagram content, but it’s behind what’s offered elsewhere. In the US, it can create images and work with smart glasses, and Meta wants to bring those perks to Europe eventually. The company says this launch is a first step to make AI tools better and more equal worldwide, balancing new ideas with privacy needs. European users can start chatting with it now and expect more updates down the road.
