U.S. House Bans WhatsApp Citing Security Flaws; Meta Hits Back

The U.S. House of Representatives has imposed a ban on WhatsApp on government-issued devices, due to reported internal cybersecurity concerns. This action follows similar restrictions on other applications. The House Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) classified WhatsApp as a “high-risk” application. The basis for the decision includes WhatsApp’s data handling practices and transparency issues. The CAO’s cybersecurity team found the app lacking clarity regarding data protection and encryption policies, thus presenting potential risks. All versions of WhatsApp, mobile, desktop, and browser, are now prohibited on House-issued devices. Staff members must avoid using WhatsApp on official phones or laptops. Meta has responded with strong objection to the U.S. House’s assessment. Andy Stone, Communications Director at Meta, expressed the company’s disagreement. Stone noted that WhatsApp utilizes default end-to-end encryption, offering a higher level of security than many apps on the CAO’s approved list. Meta aims to work with the House, so that members can use WhatsApp officially. The CAO recommended Microsoft Teams, Signal, Apple’s iMessage and FaceTime, and Amazon’s encrypted app Wickr as alternatives. This decision aligns with the U.S. government’s broader strategy to limit the use of applications perceived as privacy risks or which raise data handling concerns. The ban occurs shortly after Meta revealed that it may introduce ads on WhatsApp, a plan that Meta maintains will not compromise user privacy.