The European Parliament has deactivated integrated artificial intelligence tools on the corporate devices of its members and staff to address potential cybersecurity and data privacy risks. This decision follows an internal assessment which determined that the security of data processed by these cloud-based features could not currently be guaranteed.
European Parliament officials recently notified lawmakers that built-in artificial intelligence features on corporate tablets and phones have been disabled. This move was prompted by an internal investigation conducted by the IT department, which raised concerns about how these tools manage sensitive information. Tech support staff noted that many of these functions rely on cloud services rather than local processing, meaning data is transmitted off the device to external providers. Because the full extent of data sharing remains unclear as these technologies evolve, the institution decided that keeping the features inactive is the safest course of action for the time being.
The specific tools affected by this policy include integrated writing and summarizing assistants, enhanced virtual assistants, and automatic webpage summaries. While these sophisticated AI features are now inaccessible, standard day-to-day applications such as email, calendars, and document editors remain fully functional for all staff. The Parliament’s press service stated that they continuously monitor for cybersecurity threats and implement necessary preventative measures, though they declined to provide specific details regarding the exact operating systems or AI brands involved due to the sensitive nature of digital security.
This restriction is part of a broader trend within the European Union to tighten data security and reduce reliance on foreign technology vendors. In recent years, the Parliament has faced pressure to move away from major international software providers in favor of regional alternatives. This latest security measure follows a 2023 ban on the social media application TikTok on official devices, highlighting a persistent effort by EU leadership to shield internal communications and legislative data from external surveillance or unauthorized access.
Lawmakers have also been encouraged to apply similar levels of caution to their personal devices, particularly when using them for work-related business. The internal communication warned staff to be wary of third-party AI applications and to avoid granting these tools broad access to private data. The primary concern is that AI features which scan or analyze content could inadvertently expose internal documents or private correspondence to service providers who do not meet the institution's strict security standards.
The European Parliament maintains that these proactive steps are necessary to safeguard the integrity of the legislative process. By disabling these features now, they hope to prevent data leaks while they continue to assess the long-term implications of AI integration. As technology continues to advance, the institution remains focused on balancing the benefits of digital innovation with the fundamental requirement of maintaining a secure and private environment for its political operations.
Source: EU Parliament Blocks AI Tools Over Cybersecurity And Privacy Concerns