EP blocks AI features on MEPs tablets – reports

The European Parliament has switched off artificial intelligence features on the tablets issued to MEPs, citing security and privacy concerns, according to Euractiv.com.

Parliament officials reportedly said cybersecurity and data protection assessments found that some AI tools rely on cloud services, transmitting data off the device even when tasks could be performed locally. A broader review is now under way to determine the extent of information shared with external providers.

Pending the outcome, built-in AI functions, including writing and summarising assistants, virtual assistants and webpage summaries, have been disabled. Third-party applications remain unaffected for now.

In its guidance, Parliament’s IT department advised lawmakers to exercise caution on personal devices as well, recommending that unnecessary AI features be turned off and app permissions reviewed to safeguard sensitive material.

The decision comes amid wider European concerns over data sovereignty and reliance on US-based technology firms, particularly in light of American legislation such as the CLOUD Act, which can grant US authorities access to data held by US companies, even if stored in Europe.