Microsoft is enhancing security in Microsoft Teams meetings with a new admin policy aimed at limiting unauthorized third-party (external) bots from joining calls. The policy, described as “Manage external bots and their access to meetings,” gives organizations visibility into external bots and adds safeguards before they are admitted to meetings. Under the approach, detected external bots are directed to the meeting lobby and require approval from the meeting organizer, rather than being allowed to join automatically. Microsoft also identifies or flags verified bots, and these bots are presented with clear indications that they are authorized/recognized. In addition, Microsoft plans to retire an existing Teams meeting policy that uses participant verification (CAPTCHA), replacing it with the new external-bot controls. Microsoft says bot admission should be a deliberate decision by the organizer, while the new framework is intended to reduce privacy and security risks tied to unintended automated participation. The company also outlines a path for bot developers to register bots so that only appropriate bots are treated as verified/recognized within the system.