US House Bans WhatsApp on Government Devices Over Security & Transparency Concerns
The messaging application WhatsApp, owned by Meta, has been officially banned from use on all devices issued to staff members of the United States House of Representatives. A corresponding notice was circulated among Congressional personnel earlier this week.
The decision is rooted in cybersecurity concerns. Experts cite WhatsApp’s opaque architecture and limited encryption protocols as persistent vulnerabilities. Moreover, the platform offers no means of external oversight regarding the handling of user data and metadata, further amplifying apprehensions among security specialists.
As an alternative, Congress has advised staff to utilize other platforms for official communication. Recommended options include Microsoft Teams, Amazon’s Wickr, Signal, and Apple’s native applications—iMessage and FaceTime.
Unsurprisingly, Meta has firmly opposed the ban. Company representatives insist that WhatsApp provides a higher level of security than the recommended alternatives. They reiterate, as always, that all messages and calls within the app are safeguarded by end-to-end encryption.
Criticism of WhatsApp’s security is not new. Earlier this year, service officials disclosed that Israeli firm Paragon Solutions, known for developing spyware, had attempted to compromise user accounts. Among the potential targets were journalists, activists, and members of civil society.
It is important to note that the ban applies exclusively to work-issued Congressional devices. While there is no prohibition against using WhatsApp on personal gadgets, authorities strongly advise against transmitting any professional or sensitive information via the app.
