EU auditor warns gangs use AI to expand illicit tobacco
By The BriefBrief
The European Court of Auditors (ECA) warns that AI is helping gangs grow illicit tobacco networks. It says the EU and member capitals face major challenges in clamping down on the trade, which it estimates costs €13 billion in lost revenue annually.
WHO:European Court of Auditors (ECA)
WHAT:ECA warns that AI is helping gangs expand illicit tobacco networks and highlights the scale of the illicit trade’s revenue losses.
WHEN:Reported Sep 7, 2026 at 8:00 PM ET
WHERE:European Union
WHY:The warning is triggered by concerns that AI is being used to grow illicit tobacco networks and by the scale of revenue losses from the illicit trade.
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