U.S. House Bans WhatsApp on Government Devices Over Security Concerns

TL;DR

The U.S. House has banned the use of WhatsApp on government devices due to security concerns, citing risks flagged by the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). The ban extends to other apps like ChatGPT, ByteDance apps, and Microsoft Copilot. The CAO has approved alternatives such as Microsoft Teams, Wickr, Signal, iMessage, and FaceTime. Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, has expressed disagreement with the decision.

U.S. House Imposes Ban on WhatsApp for Government Devices

The U.S. House has implemented a ban on the use of WhatsApp on government devices, citing significant data security concerns. This move comes as part of a broader effort to enhance cybersecurity measures within the government. The ban also extends to other applications including ChatGPT, ByteDance apps, and Microsoft Copilot.

CAO Cites Transparency and Encryption Issues

The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) highlighted several critical issues with WhatsApp, stating that the app poses a high risk to users due to a lack of transparency in data protection measures and the absence of stored data encryption. An email sent by the CAO and obtained by Axios emphasized the need for immediate action:

“If you have a WhatsApp application on your House-managed device, you will be contacted to remove it.”

The email further clarified that House staff are strictly prohibited from downloading or using WhatsApp on any House device, including mobile, desktop, or web browser versions of the application.

Approved Alternatives and Additional Guidance

The CAO has approved several alternatives to WhatsApp, including Microsoft Teams, Wickr, Signal, iMessage, and FaceTime. House staff have been advised to be vigilant against phishing attempts and unknown texts, underscoring the importance of using secure communication platforms.

Meta’s Response to the Ban

Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, has expressed strong disagreement with the decision. Andy Stone, a Meta spokesperson, stated:

“We disagree with the House Chief Administrative Officer’s characterization in the strongest possible terms. We know members and their staffs regularly use WhatsApp and we look forward to ensuring members of the House can join their Senate counterparts in doing so officially.”

Stone also noted that WhatsApp messages are end-to-end encrypted by default, providing a higher level of security than most apps on the CAO’s approved list, which lack this protection.

Previous Security Incidents Involving WhatsApp

In March 2025, WhatsApp addressed a zero-click, zero-day vulnerability that was exploited to install Paragon’s Graphite spyware on targeted devices. The Meta-owned company also blocked a spyware campaign by Paragon targeting journalists and civil society members, following reports from the Citizen Lab group at the University of Toronto.

Paragon’s Involvement and Legal Actions

The hacking campaign, linked to Paragon, an Israeli commercial surveillance vendor acquired by AE Industrial Partners, targeted 90 users. WhatsApp immediately alerted the targeted users of a potential compromise and sent Paragon a “cease and desist” letter, exploring the possibility of legal action.

Follow for More Updates

For the latest updates on cybersecurity and related news, follow me on Twitter, Facebook, and Mastodon.

For more details, visit the full article: source

Conclusion

The U.S. House’s decision to ban WhatsApp on government devices underscores the growing concern over data security and privacy in government communications. As cyber threats continue to evolve, it is crucial for government agencies to adopt robust security measures and promote the use of secure communication platforms.

References