The European Commission is offering US-bound commissioners and senior officials burner phones and basic laptops to avoid the risk of espionage in the US, a report has claimed. These are traditionally used by European Union (EU) officials for trips to high-risk countries such as China and Ukraine.
The EU officials are reportedly concerned that US systems may try to infiltrate the Commission's networks. The new guidelines have been implemented ahead of next week’s IMF and World Bank spring meetings, which Commissioners and senior officials will be attending.
A report by The Financial Times cited four sources familiar with the matter who confirmed that similar steps had been taken on trips to Ukraine and China, where standard IT equipment is restricted due to surveillance risks.
“They are worried about the US getting into the commission systems,” one of the officials said to FT.
EU’s new measures for US-bound Commission staff
The European Commission announced that three commissioners—Valdis Dombrovskis (Economy Commissioner), Maria Luís Albuquerque (Financial Services Chief), and Jozef Síkela (Development Assistance)—are travelling to Washington from April 21-26 for the IMF and World Bank meetings.
The Commission noted it had recently updated its security advice for US travel, though no written instructions specifically regarding burner phone use were provided. The updates, coordinated with the bloc’s diplomatic service, include a recommendation for all staff travelling to the US to turn off their phones at the border and keep them in special sleeves to reduce the risk of surveillance if left unattended.
According to Luuk van Middelaar, director of the Brussels Institute for Geopolitics, the advice was expected.
“Washington is not Beijing or Moscow, but it is an adversary that is prone to use extra-legal methods to further its interests and power,” Middelaar said to FT.
In light of past espionage allegations—such as the claims that the Obama administration spied on Angela Merkel’s phone—Van Middelaar noted that similar surveillance tactics by Democrat administrations have become an accepted reality for the Commission.
Travelling to the US carries additional risks, as border officials may seize and inspect electronic devices. European tourists, academics, and researchers have already claimed to have faced entry denial over social media posts or opinions deemed critical of US policies.
To minimise these risks, Commission officials have been advised to carry their visas in diplomatic laissez-passer documents rather than in national passports.
The EU officials are reportedly concerned that US systems may try to infiltrate the Commission's networks. The new guidelines have been implemented ahead of next week’s IMF and World Bank spring meetings, which Commissioners and senior officials will be attending.
A report by The Financial Times cited four sources familiar with the matter who confirmed that similar steps had been taken on trips to Ukraine and China, where standard IT equipment is restricted due to surveillance risks.
“They are worried about the US getting into the commission systems,” one of the officials said to FT.
EU’s new measures for US-bound Commission staff
The European Commission announced that three commissioners—Valdis Dombrovskis (Economy Commissioner), Maria Luís Albuquerque (Financial Services Chief), and Jozef Síkela (Development Assistance)—are travelling to Washington from April 21-26 for the IMF and World Bank meetings.
The Commission noted it had recently updated its security advice for US travel, though no written instructions specifically regarding burner phone use were provided. The updates, coordinated with the bloc’s diplomatic service, include a recommendation for all staff travelling to the US to turn off their phones at the border and keep them in special sleeves to reduce the risk of surveillance if left unattended.
According to Luuk van Middelaar, director of the Brussels Institute for Geopolitics, the advice was expected.
“Washington is not Beijing or Moscow, but it is an adversary that is prone to use extra-legal methods to further its interests and power,” Middelaar said to FT.
In light of past espionage allegations—such as the claims that the Obama administration spied on Angela Merkel’s phone—Van Middelaar noted that similar surveillance tactics by Democrat administrations have become an accepted reality for the Commission.
Travelling to the US carries additional risks, as border officials may seize and inspect electronic devices. European tourists, academics, and researchers have already claimed to have faced entry denial over social media posts or opinions deemed critical of US policies.
To minimise these risks, Commission officials have been advised to carry their visas in diplomatic laissez-passer documents rather than in national passports.
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