The United States House of Representatives has prohibited the use of WhatsApp on all government-issued devices due to identified data security vulnerabilities and cybersecurity risks. A directive was issued to government personnel, mandating the removal of WhatsApp from desktops, smartphones, and other devices, including personal ones. The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) conveyed these new regulations via email.
The Office of Cybersecurity designated WhatsApp as a high-risk platform, citing a lack of transparency in data protection, absence of stored data encryption, and potential security threats. Consequently, government employees are now instructed to utilize more secure messaging platforms such as Signal, Microsoft Teams, Wickr, Apple’s iMessage, and FaceTime. They have also been advised to remain vigilant against phishing attempts and communications from unknown sources.
Meta Platforms, the parent company of WhatsApp, has expressed strong opposition to this decision. Spokesperson Andy Stone stated the company’s disagreement with the House Chief Administrative Officer’s ruling. Meta defended WhatsApp’s encryption, emphasizing that messages are end-to-end encrypted by default, ensuring privacy for senders and recipients.
Meta hopes the House will reconsider its decision and allow WhatsApp’s continued use, along with the Senate. In January, a WhatsApp official revealed that the Israeli spyware company, Paragon Solutions, targeted numerous WhatsApp users, including journalists and civil society members. The House previously banned the TikTok app from staff devices in 2022 over similar security concerns. Furthermore, earlier this month, Iran advised its citizens to delete WhatsApp amid conflicts with Israel, suspecting data sharing through the platform, which is widely used for personal and professional communication in Iran.
