The US House of Representatives has officially banned the use of WhatsApp on all government-issued devices in a move aimed at strengthening cybersecurity and protecting sensitive data.
The decision was communicated through an internal memo from the House Cybersecurity Office and applies to all lawmakers, staff, and House employees.
According to the memo, the Meta-owned messaging app poses a significant security threat, as officials describe it, due to a lack of transparency in how user data is managed, insufficient encryption for stored data, and associated technical vulnerabilities.
As an alternative, the House recommended using more secure communication platforms, including Microsoft Teams, Amazon-owned Wickr, Apple’s iMessage and FaceTime, and the encrypted messaging app Signal.
In a statement responding to the ban, a Meta spokesperson expressed disagreement, arguing that WhatsApp offers industry-leading security features that exceed those of several recommended alternatives. The company emphasized that privacy and security remain top priorities.
The ban follows recent cybersecurity alerts, including a January report in which WhatsApp confirmed that dozens of journalists and activists had been targeted by advanced spyware. These revelations heightened concerns over the platform’s vulnerability to surveillance and data breaches.
This is not the first time the US House has acted against popular apps over security concerns. In 2022, the House banned TikTok from official devices amid similar fears about data privacy and foreign surveillance.
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