WhatsApp Banned on US Government Devices Due to Security Concerns; Meta Objects

The U.S. House of Representatives has prohibited the use of WhatsApp on all government-issued devices, citing internal cybersecurity concerns. This follows previous restrictions on other widely used applications. The House Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) deemed the Meta-owned platform a “high-risk” app. This decision is based on WhatsApp’s handling of user data, lack of clarity in data protection, and absence of a clear encryption policy, potentially exposing users to risks. All versions of WhatsApp, including mobile, desktop, and browser, are now blocked on House-issued devices. Staff members are instructed to cease all WhatsApp usage on official devices. Meta has strongly criticized the House’s assessment. Andy Stone, Communications Director at Meta, stated that the company strongly disagrees with the CAO’s characterization. Stone emphasized that WhatsApp employs end-to-end encryption by default and offers a higher level of security compared to many apps on the CAO’s approved list. Meta aims to collaborate with the House to ensure its members can utilize WhatsApp officially, aligning with the current practice in the Senate. The CAO recommended Microsoft Teams, Signal, Apple’s iMessage and FaceTime, and Amazon’s encrypted app Wickr as alternatives. This ban reflects a broader trend in U.S. government agencies to restrict apps perceived as privacy risks or that raise concerns about foreign ownership and data handling practices. The timing of the ban coincides with Meta’s announcement regarding the potential introduction of advertisements on WhatsApp.