New weapons, new risks: Europe’s AI policing plan stokes privacy concerns

BRUSSELS — Senior EU officials warn that a sweeping new plan to arm the bloc's police agency, Europol, for the AI era could threaten Europeans' privacy. As cybercriminals, terrorists and spies weaponize artificial intelligence for scams, extortion and cyberattacks, Brussels is betting on expanding Europol’s AI powers — the agency that has coordinated European police intelligence since 1998 — to help combat the risks. “Europol is at a turning point,” said centrist European Parliament member Fabienne Keller, who serves on the justice and civil liberties committee. While “we need a stronger Europol, with the resources and capabilities to effectively support national law enforcement authorities,” Keller said.