US House orders WhatsApp removal from all government devices

US House of Representatives has officially banned the use of WhatsApp on all government-managed devices due to data security concerns, according to a report by Axios.

In an email sent Monday, the House’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) informed congressional staffers that the messaging app is now prohibited on mobile phones, computers, and web browsers used for official government work.

“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,” the CAO stated in the email obtained by Axios.

Staffers were instructed to delete WhatsApp if it is currently installed on any House-managed device. The email further advised using alternative apps such as Microsoft Teams, Signal, Wickr, iMessage, or FaceTime.

This move comes as part of a broader effort in Congress to curb the use of digital tools deemed to pose security vulnerabilities. In recent years, the CAO has issued similar restrictions on AI tools like Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT, allowing only the paid version of ChatGPT Plus for use.