Sweden's Government Offices Block ChatGPT and Claude, Keep Microsoft Copilot
Sweden's Government Offices will block ChatGPT and Claude on staff computers starting October 26, citing information security concerns while keeping Microsoft Copilot as the only approved AI tool.
The administrative body supporting Sweden's prime minister and cabinet will prohibit staff from using ChatGPT and Claude on government computers, directing them instead to Microsoft's Copilot. The ban takes effect October 26, following a dedicated security review that deemed Copilot acceptable while the other tools pose risks.
The decision stems from information security concerns raised by Mikael Wettercrantz, the Government Offices' director of digitalization. He noted that using AI services without formal contracts can have "consequences for our information security" after witnessing "problematic use" involving sensitive information and improper handling of AI-generated responses.
Security concerns
The government distinguishes between consumer AI tools and enterprise solutions because consumer services send user queries to external servers where U.S. authorities could potentially access the data. Formal agreements define what providers can do with government inputs, which Copilot has undergone while ChatGPT and Claude have not.
We have seen several examples of problematic use of open AI services. The examples concern both the sensitivity of the information that has been entered and how the AI-generated responses have been handled.
Wider government action
Sweden's Tax Agency and the National Board of Institutional Care have already implemented similar bans on consumer AI tools. The Enforcement Authority, responsible for debt collection and court order enforcement, is expected to announce its own decision soon. An internal audit at the Transport Administration found roughly 10 AI services being used in a "widespread and risky way."
The European Parliament took a more comprehensive approach in February, disabling all AI features—including ChatGPT, Claude, and Copilot—across its work devices after determining it couldn't guarantee data security. Sweden's approach is narrower, sanctioning two AI tools while approving one from Microsoft, though questions remain about whether Copilot's Claude component is actually enabled in the government's implementation.
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