Members of the European Commission traveling to the US are provided with so-called burner devices. These temporary laptops and phones contain no sensitive information to mitigate the risk of espionage.
European Commissioners and employees traveling to the US are provided with so-called ‘burner’ phones and empty basic laptops by the European Commission. With this, the EU aims to prevent spies from obtaining sensitive information or installing malware or spyware on the devices. Moreover, border guards in the US have the right to inspect the contents of visitors’ phones and laptops.
The practice is not new: those traveling to Russia, China, or Ukraine have long been required to use such temporary devices, fearing Russian or Chinese espionage. Trips to the US are now also classified as risky. Anonymous sources tell the Financial Times that the Commission fears the US might breach its systems.
In the Same League as Russia and China
Treating the US as a security risk, just like Russia and China, is a new development. It shows how much the relationship between the EU and the US has deteriorated in the four months since Donald Trump has wielded the presidential scepter.
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Another source says that “the transatlantic alliance is over.” Trump’s approach to seeking rapprochement with Russia, denying military aid to Ukraine, and questioning the protection of European NATO countries contributes to this. Trump has also repeatedly expressed his desire to annex Greenland – currently part of the Kingdom of Denmark and thus EU territory – to the US.
No Confirmation
Specifically, three European Commissioners will soon travel to the US for appointments with the IMF and the World Bank. The Commission has stated that the security advice for such a trip has indeed recently been updated, but does not confirm what exactly this entails.