Claims that the European Commission is issuing burner phones and basic laptops to senior officials travelling to the United States have been firmly denied by the institution. Responding to media reports, the commission told Paperjam that “we deny having given guidance to our staff recommending the use of burner phones while on official missions in the US.” It further clarified that no such advice appears in travel recommendation factsheets or other official documents.
However, the commission did confirm that updated travel recommendations have recently been issued for several countries, without naming the United States, reflecting a broader shift in how the EU handles security and communications amid a rising global cyber threat environment. These updates, it said, “reflect the latest changes in the way the commission communicates and the general increase of threats globally regarding cybersecurity.”
As tensions mount between Washington and Brussels--driven by politically sensitive trade negotiations and a volatile diplomatic atmosphere--the European Commission has implemented unprecedented security measures for officials attending the upcoming International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank spring meetings from 21 to 26 April 2025. Although the commission disputes reports of burner phones, other protective actions are in place.
Among these are strict cybersecurity protocols for travel, including guidance on switching off devices when crossing the US border, and using protective sleeves to shield equipment left unattended. There are legal risks of electronic devices being seized or searched by US border authorities--another factor prompting these enhanced precautions.
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Senior EU figures travelling to Washington include trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, who is scheduled to meet with US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick to address the fraught issue of EU-US trade tariffs. He will be joined by executive vice-president Valdis Dombrovskis and commissioners Maria Luís Albuquerque and Jozef Síkela--who are travelling to Washington for the IMF and World Bank meetings.
Whilst the commission declined to disclose details about the updated security protocols, it confirmed that it has recommended “linking the e-visa to an EU laissez-passer for senior officials, in order to underline the official nature of the visit and facilitate visa processes in embassies prior to departure.”
Although the commission has sought to downplay speculation, the elevated level of precaution suggests a growing concern over surveillance and espionage risks--even in traditionally allied countries like the United States. The sensitivity of the ongoing trade talks, in which political stances and willingness to compromise remain highly fluid, appears to be a key factor driving the effort to limit digital exposure during the trip.
Ultimately, while Brussels has moved to rebut claims of burner phone distribution, its broader response underscores just how seriously the EU is now taking digital security--especially at the US borders.