European Parliament Disables AI Features on Official Devices Citing Security Risks
In a significant move to bolster cybersecurity, the European Parliament has officially disabled all built-in artificial intelligence features on work devices issued to lawmakers and parliamentary staff. This decisive action was prompted by growing concerns over data protection and potential security vulnerabilities associated with AI tools.
Internal Directive Highlights Data Sharing Concerns
The decision was communicated through an internal email distributed on Monday, as first reported by Politico. The Parliament's technical support desk, known as e-MEP, identified a critical issue: certain AI tools were automatically transmitting data to external cloud servers for processing, even when the tasks could have been performed locally on the device itself.
The internal communication stated clearly: "As these features continue to evolve and become available on more devices, the full extent of data shared with service providers is still being assessed. Until this is fully clarified, it is considered safer to keep such features disabled."
Specific AI Tools Removed from Parliamentary Devices
According to an EU official who spoke with Politico, the disabled features include:
- AI-powered writing assistants
- Automated text summarization tools
- Enhanced virtual assistants with AI capabilities
- Webpage summary features on tablets and smartphones
It is important to note that basic functionality remains unaffected. Core applications such as email services, calendar management, and standard productivity tools continue to operate normally on all parliamentary devices.
Personal Device Security Recommendations Issued
The security measures extend beyond official equipment. The internal email explicitly urged lawmakers to "consider applying similar precautions" on personal phones and tablets used for parliamentary work. The guidance provided specific recommendations:
- Avoid feeding work-related emails or internal documents into AI features that scan content
- Exercise caution when using third-party AI applications
- Refrain from granting broad data access permissions to AI tools
Consistent Pattern of Digital Security Measures
This latest action follows established patterns of digital security enforcement within the European Parliament. In 2023, the institution implemented a ban on TikTok across all staff devices. More recently, in November 2025, a group of parliamentarians advocated for replacing Microsoft software with European alternatives, as previously reported by Politico.
Contrast with Growing Public AI Adoption
The timing of this security measure presents an interesting contrast with broader European trends. While the Parliament restricts AI usage on official devices, European citizens are increasingly embracing these technologies. According to Eurostat data from December 2025, approximately 32.7% of EU residents aged 16-74 utilized generative AI tools during 2025. Denmark led this adoption with nearly half (48.4%) of its population engaging with AI technologies.
The European Parliament has declined to specify which particular AI features were disabled or reveal the operating systems running on the affected devices. This decision reflects the institution's ongoing commitment to balancing technological innovation with robust data protection standards in an increasingly digital parliamentary environment.
