“Unauthorized drones flying in close proximity to sensitive public buildings could potentially represent a security threat,” a spokesperson for the Commission told POLITICO when asked about the plans.
“The Commission, together with other stakeholders and the host country [Belgian] authorities, are looking at possible measures to address the threat,” the spokesperson added. “Since this is a security matter, the Commission cannot comment further on measures taken or to be taken.”
People who discussed the issue with POLITICO declined to comment on what form the anti-drone structures would take.
Typically, they can be cameras that detect unmanned aircraft, or electronic devices that jam a drone’s ability to operate.
Curtains and blinds
Commission and other EU officials handle sensitive information and in the past, even on high floors, have been known to close curtains or blinds out of fear that a drone could take pictures of people or documents or film secret meetings through windows.
The Berlaymont building, which houses some of the most senior staff of the Commission’s some 32,000 employees, is also where its president, Ursula von der Leyen, lives.
