Microsoft has announced that Microsoft Teams will soon automatically label third-party bots in meeting lobbies to give organizers better control over automated participants.

Key Features of the Update

• Distinct Labeling: External third-party (3P) bots—often used for AI note-taking or transcription—will be clearly identified with a specific visual indicator in the lobby.
• Explicit Admission: Organizers will no longer “accidentally” admit bots alongside human participants. They must now separately and explicitly approve a bot’s entry into the meeting.
• Security Focus: The feature aims to prevent unauthorized bots from “ghosting” in meetings to secretly record or exfiltrate sensitive data. 

Rollout Timeline

The feature is currently in development and is scheduled to begin rolling out in May 2026. It will be available across: 

• Platforms: Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.
• Environments: Worldwide standard multi-tenant and Government Community Cloud (GCC). 

This change follows a broader 2026 AI roadmap for Teams, which also includes Interactive AI Agents (expected in September 2026) and Trust Indicators to help users verify the identity of external collaborators.