Swedish Government Blocks ChatGPT and Claude on Work Computers

Sweden’s Government Offices blocked direct access to the AI assistants ChatGPT and Claude from staff work computers on Monday, October 26, 2026, citing concerns about the handling of sensitive information and data protection. ([sverigesradio.se](https://www.sverigesradio.se/artikel/chat-gpt-och-claude-forbjuder-regeringskansliet?utm_source=openai))

Measures, reasons and an approved alternative

The restriction covers the web versions of OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Anthropic’s Claude and was introduced after internal reviews showed “problematic” uses of externally hosted AI services within government administrations earlier this year. Authorities say employees should avoid entering confidential data into public AI platforms unless formal data-protection agreements are in place. ([frontiernow.dev](https://frontiernow.dev/en/news/sweden-gov-blocks-chatgpt-claude/?utm_source=openai))

Mikael Wettercrantz, Director of Digitalisation at the Government Offices, warned staff on the agency intranet that using AI services without a formal contract may have "consequences for our information security." The Government Offices are steering employees toward Microsoft Copilot, which has passed a security review and for which contractual protections have been established. ([decrypt.co](https://decrypt.co/381763/sweden-government-offices-block-chatgpt-claude?utm_source=openai))

The Government Offices said a limited number of officials will still be able to access ChatGPT and Claude through a special AI-assistant platform developed internally or procured to run models under controlled conditions. Several other Swedish agencies have already introduced similar limits — including the Swedish Tax Agency and the National Board of Institutional Care — while some bodies are still considering comparable bans. ([sverigesradio.se](https://www.sverigesradio.se/artikel/chat-gpt-och-claude-forbjuder-regeringskansliet?utm_source=openai))

The decision follows audits at agencies such as the Swedish Transport Administration (Trafikverket), where internal reviews earlier in 2026 detected widespread and risky use of about ten different external AI services. Government officials say the measures are primarily about ensuring contractual and technical safeguards for state data, not a blanket rejection of the technology. ([pasqualepillitteri.it](https://pasqualepillitteri.it/en/news/26746/sweden-blocks-chatgpt-claude-government-copilot?utm_source=openai))

Sweden had previously restricted the use of the Chinese AI service DeepSeek at government level; the new step adds ChatGPT and Claude to a growing list of external AI tools that public-sector IT teams are blocking pending legal and security arrangements. ([computersweden.se](https://computersweden.se/article/4239687/regeringskansliet-sparrar-chat-gpt-och-claude.html?utm_source=openai))

Photo: press material from the event