WhatsApp Banned from U.S. House Devices Over Security Concerns
The U.S. House of Representatives has officially banned Meta’s WhatsApp messaging service from all House-issued devices, according to a memo circulated to staff on Monday.
The notice stated that the Office of Cybersecurity considers WhatsApp a high-risk application. Concerns include a lack of transparency in how the platform protects user data, the absence of encryption for stored data, and other potential security threats associated with its use.
The memo, issued by the chief administrative officer, advised staff to use alternative messaging platforms. Recommended options include Microsoft Teams, Amazon’s Wickr, Signal, and Apple’s iMessage and FaceTime.
A spokesperson for Meta strongly opposed the decision, claiming that WhatsApp offers better security protections than the alternatives listed in the memo.
Earlier this year, a WhatsApp representative revealed that Israeli spyware firm Paragon Solutions had targeted several users of the platform, including journalists and members of civil society.
The House has previously taken similar actions, such as its 2022 ban on the TikTok app due to security-related concerns.
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