MTA Service Alert 25621 | Maryland Transit

Maryland Warns Users of Inaccuracies with Google Translate Feature

Meta Description: The Maryland Department of Facts Technology (DoIT) cautions users that translations provided through Google Translate may be inaccurate and come with privacy risks.

The Maryland Department of Information Technology (DoIT) is alerting website visitors to the potential pitfalls of using Google Translate for content translation. While DoIT offers the service as a convenience for non-English speakers, officials emphasize they have no control over the accuracy or quality of the translated material.

DoIT utilizes Google Translate,a free and automated service,to provide language translations of its website content.Though, as Google Translate operates as an external website, the department explicitly disclaims duty for the results. “Translations cannot be guaranteed as exact or without the inclusion of incorrect or inappropriate language,” a senior official stated.

Did you know? – Google Translate uses artificial intelligence to provide translations, meaning results aren’t always perfect and can vary in quality. It’s a helpful tool, but not a substitute for professional translation.

The process of filtering DoIT content through Google Translate can lead to “unexpected and unpredictable degradation” of text, images, and overall page appearance. Furthermore, Google Translate operates under its own, separate privacy and usage policies, which are not governed by or associated with DoIT’s policies. Users are notified they are leaving DoIT’s website when selecting a translation option.

DoIT also highlights limitations of the service, noting its inability to translate certain file types, such as pdfs and graphics including .jpgs and .gifs. The department clarifies that Google Translate is provided solely as an online tool,without direct endorsement or implication that it is indeed the only translation solution available.

Users who rely on translated content do so at their own risk.DoIT explicitly states it is indeed not liable for any loss or damages arising from the use of, or reliance on, translated content. “doit assumes no liability for any site visitor’s activities in connection with use of the google Translate functionality or content,” according to a company release.

Pro tip – For critical information, such as legal documents or medical advice, always consult a professional translator to ensure accuracy and avoid misunderstandings.

Ultimately, DoIT stresses that the original English content published directly on its website remains the authoritative source. the Google Translate service is intended solely for the convenience of non-English speaking users, with the translated content provided directly and dynamically by Google.

Why this matters: The Maryland Department of Information Technology (DoIT) issued the warning because Google Translate, while convenient, is an automated service prone to errors and doesn’t adhere to DoIT’s privacy standards. Who is affected: Non-English speaking users of the DoIT website are the primary audience impacted by this announcement. what happened: doit is cautioning users about the potential for inaccurate translations and privacy risks when using the Google Translate feature on its website. How it ended: DoIT clarified that it is not responsible for the accuracy of translations and that the original English content remains the official record. The service remains available as a convenience, but users are advised to proceed with caution.