Microsoft Teams to Enhance Meeting Security with Bot Identification
Microsoft is bolstering security within its Teams platform by introducing a new feature designed to help meeting organizers identify and manage third-party bots attempting to join sessions. The update, slated for rollout in May 2026, aims to mitigate the growing risk of malicious bots infiltrating meetings and compromising sensitive data.
The Rising Threat of Malicious Bots
The increasing sophistication and accessibility of AI tools have unfortunately empowered cybercriminals to deploy malicious bots at an alarming rate. According to a recent report, bots are responsible for a significant portion of all internet traffic [1]. While some bots serve legitimate purposes, such as transcription and note-taking within an organization, others pose a serious security threat.
Threat actors are actively exploiting Teams meetings to launch sophisticated attacks, hijacking conversations and stealing company data [2]. The new Teams feature directly addresses this vulnerability.
How the New Bot Identification Feature Works
The upcoming feature will provide meeting organizers with a clear visual indicator in the meeting lobby when an external third-party bot attempts to join. Organizers will be required to explicitly and separately approve the bot’s entry, preventing accidental admission [1]. This ensures organizers maintain full control over who participates in their meetings.
As Microsoft stated in a roadmap entry, the feature will “ensure that no one inadvertently accepts the external bots into the meeting ensuring that the organizers have full control over the presence of these bots.” [2]
Platform Availability
The bot identification feature is scheduled to roll out in May 2026 across a wide range of platforms, including Desktop, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android versions of Microsoft Teams [3]. This broad compatibility ensures that the security enhancement will be available to the vast majority of Teams users.
Recent Microsoft Teams Updates
This update follows other recent enhancements to Microsoft Teams and the broader Microsoft 365 suite. In December 2025, Microsoft made GPT-5.2 available in Microsoft 365 Copilot, enhancing its reasoning and multi-step execution capabilities [1]. Microsoft also introduced Microsoft Agent 365, a control plane for agents, and Agent Mode across Word, Excel, and PowerPoint in November 2025 [1]. The company retired the Teams Designer bot in February 2026, integrating its features into Microsoft 365 Copilot [4].
By proactively addressing the threat of malicious bots, Microsoft is reinforcing its commitment to providing a secure and productive collaboration environment for Teams users.