Google's AI Plans Exclude Europe for One Key Feature

Google has announced several new features for its AI plans, but with a notable exception. The tech giant's Gemini Spark feature, which allows users to handle web errands and edit photos, is only available to US subscribers. This comes despite the fact that Google expanded its AI offerings to over 160 countries in July.

The European Economic Area, Switzerland, and the UK are among the regions where Gemini Spark is not sold. The feature uses Chrome, saved passwords, and logged-in accounts with human sign-off required for payments. In contrast, other features such as voice tools, an image editor, and a spreadsheet app builder are available to Pro and Ultra subscribers in Europe.

The absence of Gemini Spark in European markets is puzzling given Google's agreement under the Digital Markets Act to let rival assistants on Android reach comparable functionality by July 2027. Apple's Siri, which was also subject to EU regulations, will not launch in the EU with iOS 27 due to demands from the Commission that rival assistants receive the same system access.