Python in Power Query Editor

[PowerBI4Life]

Are there any risks to using Python in the Power Query Editor?  It sounds like the data source settings must be set to "public".  Who would be able to see this information? 

[knuckledown234]

I'm seconding the above question. 
Microsoft's documentation states that Python can only be used with data sources with security settings set to "Public": "For the Python scripts to work properly in the Power BI service, all data sources need to be set to public. For more information about privacy settings and their implications, see Privacy Levels." ( Use Python in Power BI Power Query Editor - Power BI | Microsoft Learn )

Reviewing the documentation below, it sounds like the Private/Public/Organizational security levels are more about how data sources can interact with each other than actual security provided. "Public" doesn't actually mean that anyone can see the data, but it does mean that other data sources interacting with the data source in Power BI can see the data. Am I understanding that correctly? 

Understand Power BI Desktop privacy levels - Power BI | Microsoft Learn

[ams1 · Accepted solution]

Hi @PowerBI4Life ,

Everything has risks 🙂, IMO the biggest one being the user doing something wrong in the code that exposes the data.

"python.exe" installed on your machine will be able to "see" your data.

The thing is python.exe is an external program installed on your machine and PowerBI gives python your data - so if your machine is compromised... things might happen (btw if your machine gets compromised not even PowerBI is safe anymore).

Python also has libs (pandas etc.) - if those libs get compromised...

IF you're careful and install python/python libs from trusted locations (btw same goes for PowerBI itself and everything), you should be OK -> (imo) this "worrying" should NOT stop you for using python, go for it! 

Worry more about the code you use in PowerQuery, Python etc.