The European Parliament has instructed staff to disable certain AI functionalities on work devices to mitigate cyber threats and protect sensitive data, marking a significant step in internal digital hygiene amid ongoing privacy debates.
The European Parliament has instructed staff to disable a range of built‑in artificial intelligence features on work devices amid intensified cyber and privacy concerns, according to POLITICO. The guidance, circulated to lawmakers by email and seen by POLITICO, targets tools that automatically draft or condense text, bolster virtual assistants and create webpage summaries on tablets and phones. [2],[6]
The restrictions stop short of removing basic productivity applications: the email made clear that apps for email, calendar and documents remain untouched. The measure reflects a precautionary approach to reduce the risk of exposing sensitive parliamentary material to services that scan or analyse content. [2],[6]
In a written statement cited by POLITICO, the European Parliament press service said it “constantly monitor[s] cybersecurity threats and quickly deploys the necessary measures to prevent them,” while declining to discuss operational technical details for security reasons. The statement declined to say which device platforms or specific factory‑installed AI functions had been deactivated. [2],[6]
The step follows a pattern of tighter digital hygiene inside EU institutions. Lawmakers urged a switch away from internal use of Microsoft software in November, and in 2023 the Parliament barred the social app TikTok from staff devices while advising members to remove it from personal phones. The recent email also urged MEPs to “consider applying similar precautions” on private devices used for official business. [2],[6]
The move sits alongside other EU concerns about foreign technology and data flows. The Parliament has recommended secure messaging such as Signal for sensitive exchanges, echoing earlier Commission advice, while national regulators have taken action against AI vendors on privacy grounds , Italy recently blocked the Chinese firm DeepSeek pending an investigation. At the same time, debates continue over the EU’s AI Act after late amendments tightened law enforcement access to biometric tools, prompting warnings from rights advocates. [3],[4],[5]
Lawmakers were explicitly advised to avoid exposing work emails, documents or internal information “to AI features that scan or analyze content,” to be “cautious” with third‑party AI apps and to “avoid granting broad access to data,” the email said. The Parliament framed the restrictions as targeted, short‑term risk‑mitigation while cybersecurity assessments continue. [2],[3]
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Inspired by headline at: [1]
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
3
Notes:
⚠️ The article references a Politico piece from June 2024, which is over seven months old. The most recent related articles are from July 2025, indicating that the narrative is not fresh. The Politico article is behind a paywall, limiting access to its content. The Euronews articles from February 2025 discuss similar topics but do not confirm the specific actions taken by the European Parliament.
Quotes check
Score:
2
Notes:
⚠️ The article includes direct quotes attributed to the European Parliament press service and MEPs. However, these quotes cannot be independently verified due to the Politico article being behind a paywall. The Euronews articles do not provide these specific quotes, raising concerns about their authenticity.
Source reliability
Score:
2
Notes:
⚠️ The primary source is Politico, a reputable news outlet, but the article is behind a paywall, limiting access to its content. The Euronews articles from February 2025 discuss similar topics but do not confirm the specific actions taken by the European Parliament. The lack of independent confirmation from other reputable sources raises concerns about the reliability of the information.
Plausibility check
Score:
5
Notes:
✅ The European Parliament has previously taken actions to enhance cybersecurity and protect sensitive information, such as recommending secure messaging apps and advising against the use of certain social media platforms. The move to disable AI features aligns with these past actions. However, the lack of recent confirmation and the age of the primary source raise questions about the current relevance and accuracy of the information.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
⚠️ The article relies on a Politico piece from June 2024, which is behind a paywall, and lacks independent verification from other reputable sources. While the actions described are plausible given the European Parliament’s past behavior, the lack of recent confirmation and the age of the primary source raise significant concerns about the accuracy and relevance of the information.
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