The WhatsApp messaging service has been banned on all US House of Representatives devices due to concerns raised by the Office of Cybersecurity regarding user data protection, encryption, and overall security risks. Instead, House staff are advised to use alternative messaging apps such as Microsoft Corp’s Teams, Amazon.com’s Wickr, Signal, Apple’s iMessage, and Facetime. Meta, the owner of WhatsApp, has not provided an immediate response to this decision.
The Signal app, known for its end-to-end encrypted messaging, was recently involved in a controversy when detailed information about planned attacks on Yemen was inadvertently shared in private Signal group chats by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The Pentagon had previously cautioned against using Signal due to technical vulnerabilities that could be exploited by Russian hacking groups to spy on encrypted organizations.
While the Pentagon allows the use of third-party messaging apps like Signal for sharing unclassified information, they are prohibited from transmitting “non-public” unclassified data. This recent ban on WhatsApp within the US House of Representatives underscores the growing concerns surrounding data privacy and security in messaging platforms, prompting a shift towards more secure communication methods in government settings.
