The U.S. House’s chief administrative officer informed congressional staffers Monday that messaging app WhatsApp is banned on their government devices, Axios reported.
The ban, which centers on the vulnerability of staffers’ data, comes as Congress is also taking steps to limit the use of AI programs it deems similarly risky.
The chief administrative officer has in recent years set at least partial bans on DeepSeek, ByteDance apps and Microsoft Copilot.
It has also heavily restricted staffers’ use of ChatGPT, instructing offices to use the paid version, ChatGPT Plus.
“The Office of Cybersecurity has deemed WhatsApp a high-risk to users due to the lack of transparency in how it protects users due to the lack of transparency in how it protects its user data, absence of stored data encryption, and potential securities risks involved with its use,” the CAO said in an email obtained by Axios.
“House staff are NOT allowed to download or keep the WhatsApp application on any House device, including any mobile, desktop, or web browser versions of its products.”
The email added: “If you have a WhatsApp application on your House-managed device, you will be contacted to remove it.”
Engadget reported: US congressional staffers have reportedly been told that they’re no longer allowed to use WhatsApp on government devices. The House of Representatives’ chief administrative officer (CAO) is said to have informed workers on Monday that the app — including the mobile, desktop and web-based versions — is not permitted on House-managed devices.
“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 wrote in an email, according to Axios.
Microsoft Teams, Wickr, Signal (despite how easy it might be to accidentally invite a reporter to a sensitive group chat), iMessage and FaceTime were reportedly cited as acceptable alternatives, and the CAO reminded workers to be vigilant regarding potential phishing scams.
Newsmax reported: As the world awaits Iran’s response to U.S. strikes on three nuclear sites, House officials have banned WhatsApp messaging on staffers devices to bolster security efforts.
The ban comes from the House’s office of Chief Administrative Officer in an alert to House staffers, Axios reported Monday.
The House has taken action on restricting other applications in the past amid threats and the use of artificial intelligence programs it deems risky, including DeepSeek, ByteDance, Microsoft Copilot, and ChatGPT, according to the report.
“The Office of Cybersecurity has deemed WhatsApp a high-risk to users due to the ack if transparency in how it protects user data, absence of stored data encryption, and potential security risks involved with its use,” the CAO wrote in an email obtained by Axios.