Concerned about US espionage, the EU distributes disposable mobile phones to employees and deploys 'anti-espionage electronics storage cases' in line with China and Russia

It has been reported that the European Commission is distributing 'disposable mobile phones' to its staff traveling to the US due to concerns about US espionage. The European Commission is also taking the same measures for its staff traveling to China.

EU issues US-bound staff with burner phones over spying fears
https://www.ft.com/content/20d0678a-41b2-468d-ac10-14ce1eae357b

Burner phones only for EU staff on US trips, Commission says - Euractiv
https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/burner-phones-only-for-eu-staff-on-us-trips-commission-says/

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Spring Meetings will be held in the United States from April 21 to 26, 2025. According to a report by the major economic magazine Financial Times, the European Commission has given 'new guidelines' to officials heading to the Spring Meetings. The guidelines include measures such as 'turning off mobile phones at the border' and 'putting mobile phones in special cases to protect them from espionage' to protect information from American espionage.

In addition, it has been reported that the European Commission has provided 'disposable mobile phones' and 'basic laptops' to employees traveling to the United States.

The European Commission has previously taken similar measures against officials travelling to China, and also ordered similar measures against officials travelling to Ukraine to prevent Russian espionage.

Luc van Middeaar of the Brussels Institute for Geopolitical Studies points out that 'Washington is not like Beijing or Moscow, but it is a country that will not hesitate to use extralegal measures to expand its own interests and power.' He also points to the example of the suspicion that 'the United States was tapping German Chancellor Merkel's mobile phone' under the Obama administration in 2013, and argues that 'Democratic administrations use the same tactics. This is something that the committee has confirmed to be true.'

German Chancellor Merkel asks President Obama for explanation over allegations of US government phone eavesdropping | Reuters
https://jp.reuters.com/article/markets/japan/-idUSL3N0ID4BL/

Edward Snowden has revealed that the United States was developing a global eavesdropping system called 'PRISM.'

What is 'PRISM', a top-secret system that allows you to directly peek at personal information on servers such as Google, Apple, and Yahoo!? - GIGAZINE

By Katy

By the way, China has banned government officials from using iPhones in an effort to reduce its dependence on foreign countries and strengthen its cybersecurity.

Apple's stock price falls daily after China informs government officials of 'ban on iPhone use' - GIGAZINE

The iPhone has also been banned in Russia due to concerns about American espionage.

Russia bans use of iPhones and iPads in government offices over 'concerns over US espionage' - GIGAZINE