EU takes a stand against Embedded AI over data sovereignty fears

In a significant move that highlights the growing friction between rapid technological advancement and the non-negotiable need for institutional security, the European Parliament has officially disabled built-in artificial intelligence features on all mobile devices issued to its members and staff. This decision, communicated through an internal memo and first reported by Politico, signals a cautious retreat from the latest trend of "AI everywhere," as the legislative body grapples with the invisible risks of data leakage and cloud-dependent processing.

The technical core of the issue lies in how modern smartphones and tablets handle AI tasks. Many of the latest features marketed as productivity boosters—such as writing assistants, advanced text summarizers, and enhanced virtual assistants—often rely on cloud-based processing. Instead of performing calculations locally on the device’s hardware, these tools send user data to remote servers owned by third-party service providers. For an institution that handles sensitive legislative drafts, confidential diplomatic communications, and internal policy discussions, this lack of transparency presents an unacceptable cybersecurity vulnerability.

According to the Parliament's IT support desk, the current evolution of these AI features makes it difficult to assess the full extent of data sharing. The decision to pull the plug is described as a precautionary measure, taken because the institution cannot currently guarantee that the privacy of MEPs and their staff remains intact when these native features are active. This is not a ban on AI as a concept, but rather a targeted strike against integrated "black box" features that operate without clear boundaries on where the information travels.

The restrictions specifically target built-in functionalities provided by device manufacturers and operating systems. Interestingly, the ban does not yet extend to standard workplace applications like email or calendar apps, even though these are increasingly incorporating AI elements. However, the Parliament is clearly urging its personnel to adopt a mindset of "zero trust" when it comes to any tool that scans or analyzes content automatically.

Beyond the official work devices, the memo also issued a stern advisory regarding personal technology. Lawmakers have been strongly encouraged to mirror these precautions on their private phones and tablets, especially if they use them to access work-related documents or emails. The warning is specific: do not feed internal documents into AI tools that scan content, and be extremely wary of third-party applications requesting broad permissions to access device data.

This move is part of a broader, long-term strategy by the European Union to bolster its digital sovereignty and reduce its reliance on foreign tech giants, primarily those based in the United States and China. It follows the 2023 ban on TikTok from government devices and reflects a growing sentiment among European regulators that the convenience of modern software must not come at the cost of security. Some lawmakers are even pushing for a more radical shift away from the Microsoft ecosystem in favor of homegrown European alternatives.

The Parliament's decision creates a striking paradox. While the EU is a global leader in drafting AI regulations for the public and private sectors, its own internal policy suggests that the technology is not yet ready for the highest levels of governance. It serves as a stark reminder that as AI becomes more deeply embedded in our daily tools, the challenge of maintaining a secure and private digital environment becomes exponentially more complex. For now, the European Parliament prefers the safety of silence over the convenience of a machine-generated summary.