- The U.S. House of Representatives has banned the use of WhatsApp on government-issued devices for staff members.
- The ban follows concerns from the House Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) about the app’s security and data protection practices.
- Staff are now prohibited from using WhatsApp on all official mobile, desktop, and web devices.
- Meta, the company behind WhatsApp, has disagreed with the House’s assessment, emphasizing the app’s end-to-end encryption.
- Alternative messaging apps recommended by the CAO include Microsoft Teams, Amazon’s Wickr, Signal, iMessage, and FaceTime.
The U.S. House of Representatives announced on June 24, 2025, that congressional staff can no longer use WhatsApp on government-issued devices. The decision is based on security concerns raised by the Office of Cybersecurity and the House Chief Administrative Officer.
A memo from the CAO cited a lack of transparency concerning how WhatsApp protects user data, noting the absence of stored data encryption and other potential risks. Staff members are not allowed to download or use the app’s mobile, desktop, or web versions on any official device.
According to Axios, the CAO stated, “The Office of Cybersecurity has deemed WhatsApp a high-risk to users due to the lack of transparency in how it protects user data, absence of stored data encryption, and potential security risks involved with its use.” In response, Meta pushed back in a statement published on X, formerly known as Twitter. Meta’s Communication Director Andy Stone said, “We disagree with the House Chief Administrative Officer’s characterization in the strongest possible terms.” He emphasized that messages on WhatsApp are encrypted end-to-end by default.
The CAO recommended staff use alternative messaging services approved for official communication, such as Microsoft Teams, Amazon’s Wickr, Signal, and Apple’s iMessage and FaceTime. The House previously banned other apps, including TikTok, OpenAI ChatGPT, and DeepSeek.
Last week, Meta announced it would introduce ads to WhatsApp as a way to earn revenue. The company said the move would not compromise user privacy.
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