WhatsApp banned in the US House of Representatives

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The U.S. House of Representatives has banned WhatsApp from all government-issued devices, citing serious cybersecurity concerns. A memo from the House’s chief administrative officer states that WhatsApp is “high risk” due to a “lack of transparency in how it protects user data,” the absence of encryption for stored data, and other potential vulnerabilities.

House cybersecurity officials recommend secure alternatives such as Microsoft Teams, Amazon Wickr, Signal, and Apple’s iMessage and FaceTime.

In response, Meta, a spokesperson from WhatsApp’s parent company, strongly disputed these claims. They emphasised that WhatsApp provides end‑to‑end encryption by default, which they argue offers stronger protection than many approved alternatives.

The decision continues a pattern of restricting apps deemed risky, preceded by bans on TikTok in 2022 and recent scrutiny of AI tools. It also follows reports that the Israeli spyware firm NSO Group, not Paragon Solutions, targeted WhatsApp users, heightening concerns over the platform’s safety.

Full article here: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/whatsapp-banned-us-house-representatives-devices-memo-2025-06-23/

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If you need to protect sensitive communications, please see www.pfortner.co.za or send an email to info@pfortner.co.za, and we will get back to you.