Sweden Just Banned ChatGPT and Claude on Government Computers Over Data Leak Fears
Summary
Sweden's government offices have blocked staff from using ChatGPT and Claude through web browsers on work computers because of concerns about data security and unapproved technology use. Government workers must now use Microsoft Copilot under strict business security rules. However, some employees can still use AI models through a platform hosted on servers in Sweden.
Sweden is blocking ChatGPT and Claude on government computers after discovering that civil servants were using online chatbots that had not been approved for official work. Government employees must now use Microsoft Copilot for their daily office tasks. Officials made this change to stop sensitive government files from accidentally being sent to commercial servers in other countries.
Risks of data leaks and unapproved technology
A report by public broadcaster Sveriges Radio said that concerns about shadow IT led digital officials to restrict access on government devices. Shadow IT means using digital tools without an organization's approval. Mikael Wettercrantz, director of digitalization at the Swedish Government Offices, wrote on the government's internal network that using unchecked online tools puts national information security at risk. A recent review at the Swedish Transport Administration supported these concerns. It found that employees were regularly copying confidential records into unapproved AI apps.
A report by broadcaster SVT confirmed that Sweden approved Microsoft Copilot only after carefully checking its security and tightening its privacy settings. Unlike consumer web tools, official business agreements prevent technology companies from storing government questions or using them to train future AI models. European privacy laws can also impose large fines when sensitive workplace data is sent to foreign servers outside the region.
Other options using servers in Sweden
Even with the general ban on using these tools through websites, some government employees can still access ChatGPT and Claude. They must use a special platform built by Stockholm-based company Intric. This platform runs entirely on servers in Sweden, helping keep confidential questions away from foreign cloud service providers. Other public organizations, including the Swedish Tax Agency, have already introduced similar bans. Meanwhile, the debt enforcement agency is preparing its own rules.
Sweden is not the only government restricting the use of unapproved online tools in public offices. Swedish authorities had previously restricted the Chinese AI tool DeepSeek because of concerns about privacy under the GDPR, the European Union's data protection law. These steps are similar to bans introduced by United States federal agencies. Earlier this year, the European Parliament went further by turning off AI features on work devices when it could not ensure that data would remain safe.