The U.S. House of Representatives has recently prohibited the use of WhatsApp on government-issued devices, citing significant security and privacy concerns. An internal memo from the House's Chief Administrative Officer highlighted issues such as the app's lack of transparency in data protection, absence of stored data encryption, and potential security risks, leading to its classification as "high-risk." Staff members are required to remove WhatsApp from their devices by June 30. (ft.com)
Meta Platforms, the parent company of WhatsApp, has strongly contested this characterization. A spokesperson emphasized that all WhatsApp messages are end-to-end encrypted, asserting that the platform offers a higher level of security than many of the apps approved by the House, including Microsoft Teams, Signal, iMessage, FaceTime, and Wickr. (ft.com)
This decision aligns with a broader trend of governmental bodies restricting the use of certain communication apps due to security concerns. For instance, in 2022, the House banned TikTok from staff devices, and earlier this year, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) prohibited its staff from using third-party messaging apps like WhatsApp on work phones to enhance record-keeping and address security vulnerabilities. (bloomberg.com)
Internationally, similar measures have been observed. The Scottish government announced a ban on mobile messaging applications like WhatsApp on official devices, aiming to uphold high standards of openness and address concerns over the deletion of messages during the COVID-19 pandemic. (ft.com) Additionally, the Jammu and Kashmir government in India prohibited the use of third-party tools like WhatsApp and Gmail for transmitting sensitive official documents, citing risks of unauthorized access and data breaches. (tribuneindia.com)
In the private sector, financial institutions have also taken steps to limit the use of certain messaging apps. NatWest Group, a major UK bank, blocked messaging services such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Skype on company devices to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and prevent potential data breaches. (itpro.com)
These actions reflect a growing emphasis on securing official communications and protecting sensitive information from potential cyber threats.
Source: KUGN 590 https://www.kugn.com/2025/06/23/house-bans-whatsapp-on-staff-devices-amid-threat/
