Sweden's Government Offices have announced a ban on ChatGPT and Claude for staff computers starting Monday. The administrative body, which supports the prime minister and cabinet, has designated Microsoft Copilot as the only authorized AI tool for employees.
Mikael Wettercrantz, the director of digitalisation, stated that the decision stems from information security concerns. The government cited problematic use of open AI services, noting that consumer tools without formal contracts may expose sensitive data to external servers subject to U.S. data requests.
The government approved Copilot after conducting a security review and adjusting its settings. While direct access to ChatGPT and Claude is blocked, some staff may still use them through an internal platform, though specific details on access remain undisclosed.
Other Swedish agencies, including the Tax Agency and the National Board of Institutional Care, have implemented similar restrictions. The Transport Administration also identified widespread and risky use of various AI services during an internal audit.
The situation highlights ongoing data security concerns within European government bodies. While the European Parliament previously disabled all AI features on work devices, Sweden has opted to sanction specific products while restricting others.
