this post was submitted on 14 Apr 2025
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https://archive.ph/VcBLY

The European Commission is issuing burner phones and basic laptops to some US-bound staff to avoid the risk of espionage โ€” a measure traditionally reserved for trips to China.

Commissioners and senior officials travelling to the IMF and World Bank spring meetings next week have been given the new guidance, according to four people familiar with the situation.

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[โ€“] softcat@lemmy.ca 57 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Considering they were caught having spyware on Merkel's phone from 2002-2013, it's strange to only make the change now.

[โ€“] latenightnoir@lemmy.blahaj.zone 7 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

Merkel was a plant. I get the feeling most of Merkel's phone is spam, ads, and poorly focused photos. Fitting sacrifice to keep the spies thinking they were winning.

[โ€“] albert180@piefed.social 5 points 2 days ago

She did quite well keep the right wing assholes inside and outside under control for a decade. That's a win for me

[โ€“] avidamoeba@lemmy.ca 13 points 2 days ago (1 children)

It's reasonable to assume that whatever the US dumps from thos ephomes would end up in Moscow so it makes sense.

[โ€“] huppakee@lemm.ee 9 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Even if it doesn't you don't want a country with an abusive government to have intel it can use to pressure you into doing whatever they want.

[โ€“] avidamoeba@lemmy.ca 3 points 1 day ago
[โ€“] huppakee@lemm.ee 14 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I hope they don't toss them out like criminals do, so much e-waste already.

[โ€“] alanjaow@lemmy.world 8 points 2 days ago (2 children)

It's Europe, so I'd presume they'd recycle. Of course, the phones might warrant secure disposal that precludes standard recycling.

[โ€“] Brett@feddit.org 5 points 2 days ago

As an european i feel flattered with that assesment. But that would be really bad handling of IT-security. I truly never want to get hold of the 'recycled' phone of high ranking politician.

[โ€“] huppakee@lemm.ee 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I presume and expect them to as well, just really hoping they don't take the word burner too serious

[โ€“] amelore@slrpnk.net 3 points 2 days ago

Devices with sensitive information are shredded, often the battery is removed to recycle separately.