From TikTok to AI Agents: How Global Tensions Are Forcing the EU to Rethink Tech Security

As geopolitical tensions rise across the globe, European institutions are becoming increasingly cautious about the tech tools they allow their officials to use. From burner phones to bans on popular apps, the European Union is taking steps to shield itself from espionage, disinformation, and data breaches—especially when sensitive government information is on the line.

Last week, Financial Times reported that the European Commission is now equipping staff traveling to the United States with burner phones and stripped-down laptops. The U.S. joins a growing list of countries—including China and Ukraine—where EU staff are expected to face electronic surveillance. This latest development reflects a broader trend of tech-related caution, as the EU reassesses the digital tools that are safe for use in a complex international environment.

TikTok: A Symbol of Chinese Influence?

TikTok, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, has long been a concern for European authorities. In 2023, the European Commission, Parliament, and Council banned the app on professional devices. Citing cybersecurity risks and potential Chinese data harvesting, EU agencies from the Court of Auditors to the European External Action Service followed suit.

Although TikTok has denied allegations of sharing data with the Chinese government, the 2017 Chinese intelligence law, which compels firms to cooperate with national security agencies, has done little to reassure European leaders. A recent EU investigation under the Digital Services Act further fuels fears that TikTok could be used as a tool of foreign influence, especially after allegations of Russian interference in Romania’s 2024 presidential elections.

Telegram: A Messaging App Under Scrutiny

While Telegram isn’t officially banned, its ties to Russia have raised eyebrows. Dutch MEP Bart Groothuis, a cybersecurity expert, warns against using Telegram, especially for sensitive communications. He points out that Telegram holds encryption keys, potentially allowing Russian authorities access to so-called “secure” conversations.

In response to these concerns, Switzerland has banned the app for army use, and Amsterdam’s city officials are no longer allowed to use it due to disinformation risks and connections to organised crime.

AI Agents: A New Frontier in Digital Caution

Earlier this month, the European Commission took a preemptive stance on AI by banning the use of AI agents during virtual meetings. These autonomous programs, capable of recording meetings, generating summaries, and even making decisions, are viewed as a potential security risk—even if their precise vulnerabilities remain undefined.

While tech firms like OpenAI, Microsoft, and Mistral AI continue to build AI agents that comply with the EU’s AI Act, the Commission’s message is clear: caution comes first. For now, human note-takers are back in fashion.

Huawei: The Telecom Giant in the Hot Seat

Concerns about Huawei are far from new. In 2018, then-Tech Commissioner Andrus Ansip warned of “backdoors” in Huawei equipment. Those fears were reignited recently, when five individuals were charged in a corruption probe tied to the Chinese telecom firm, suspected of bribing EU lawmakers.

As a result, the EU’s 5G security policy urges member states to diversify their vendors and steer clear of Huawei equipment in critical infrastructure. Huawei phones are also off-limits for EU corporate use, a precaution rooted in both past incidents and current suspicions.

Facebook and X: Trust Issues with U.S. Tech Giants

While the EU has clashed with American companies over privacy and data transfer, platforms like Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) are also losing favour in European institutions. Germany’s data watchdog has discouraged the use of Facebook by public bodies, citing violations of GDPR, while the Dutch government has also advised against official use of the platform.

X, meanwhile, has seen a major exodus of European users—especially after Elon Musk’s acquisition and the platform’s perceived lax moderation. Several EU institutions, including the European Central Bank and the European Medicines Agency, have shifted to alternatives like Bluesky.

Strava: Jogging Into a Security Breach

Even seemingly innocent apps like Strava can pose serious risks. In 2023, French journalists were able to pinpoint the movements of presidential security teams using Strava’s public activity data. Jogging routes revealed sensitive locations, including the site of a NATO summit in Vilnius and even details about French naval submarine patrols.

Although French authorities have issued guidelines and reminders on operational security, Strava remains in use among politicians and their security teams—highlighting the ongoing tension between convenience and caution.

The Bigger Picture

The EU’s crackdown on risky tech is not a temporary fix—it’s a sign of a shifting world order where digital tools are battlegrounds for political influence, data control, and national security. While tech continues to evolve rapidly, so too must the strategies that governments use to protect themselves from both overt threats and subtle leaks.

In a world where even fitness apps and note-taking bots can be weaponised, the message from Brussels is clear: nothing is too small to escape scrutiny.