MC1546438 - Action may be required: Claude models in Copilot are coming into the EU Data Boundary and will be enabled by default

What and why:

Claude models from Anthropic in Microsoft Copilot are coming into the EU Data Boundary. Starting in early December 2026, eligible organizations in the European Union (EU) and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) will be able to use Claude models in Copilot with processing within the EU Data Boundary.

Claude models are currently disabled by default for tenants in the EU and EFTA. On December 9, 2026, Microsoft will enable Claude models for tenants that haven't made a selection for Anthropic under AI providers operating as Microsoft subprocessors in the Microsoft 365 admin center. With Claude models coming into the EU Data Boundary, we’re also simplifying the controls we provide admins by retiring the option to allow Claude models only in Copilot in Microsoft 365 apps. Tenants using this option will move to All users on December 9. 

Other selections you've already made will be respected. If you're already using Claude models, no action is needed, and processing moves into the EU Data Boundary automatically once available. If you don't want Claude models enabled by default, an admin can opt out before December 9, 2026. After December 9, admins can also disable the use of Claude models at any time. 

Claude models in Copilot are covered by Microsoft's enterprise data protection, and the Microsoft Product Terms and Data Protection Addendum apply, except as otherwise disclosed in Microsoft Learn documentation.

Rollout schedule:

• Early December 2026: Processing for Claude models in Copilot moves into the EU Data Boundary.
• December 9, 2026: Microsoft enables Claude models for tenants that haven't made a selection, and the option to allow them only in Copilot in Microsoft 365 apps will be retired. Admins can disable Claude models or limit access at any time.

Impact on your organization:

Who is affected:

• Admins of EU Data Boundary-eligible tenants in the EU and EFTA who manage access to AI models in Microsoft Copilot.
• Users in these tenants who will have access to Claude models across Microsoft Copilot experiences and in Microsoft Copilot Studio.

What will happen:

• If you haven't made a selection: Claude models will be enabled for all users on December 9, 2026.
• If you've already enabled Claude models: Your user and group assignments don't change, and processing for these models moves into the EU Data Boundary automatically once available.
• If you've allowed Claude models only in Copilot in Microsoft 365 apps: On December 9, 2026, this option will be retired and your selection will move to All users. To turn Claude models off or limit access instead, select No users or Specific users and groups before that date.
• If you've disabled Claude models: Your selection will be respected.
• Until early December 2026, Claude models aren’t covered by the EU Data Boundary processing commitment. 
• Anthropic models with Data Retention are governed by a separate setting and aren’t part of this change.

Action required / Recommendations:

• No action is required if you haven't made a selection and want Claude models enabled for all users on December 9, 2026.
• To opt out or limit access: Before December 9, 2026, go to the Microsoft 365 admin center > Copilot > Settings > View all > AI providers operating as Microsoft subprocessors > Anthropic. Select No users to opt out, or Specific users and groups to limit access to the people you choose. Then select Save.
• You need the AI Administrator or Global Administrator role to change this setting.
• Let your helpdesk and compliance teams know about this change.

Compliance considerations:

Learn more:

• Bringing Claude models in Microsoft Copilot into the EU Data Boundary 
• Claude models from Anthropic in Microsoft Online Services 
• EU Data Boundary 
• Overview of AI subprocessors