The U.S. House of Representatives has officially banned the use of Meta Platforms’ WhatsApp messaging service on all House-issued mobile devices, citing major cybersecurity and data privacy concerns. According to a memo circulated to all House staff on Monday, the Office of Cybersecurity labeled the app as a “high risk” to users.
The memo specifically highlighted several critical issues with WhatsApp, including its lack of transparency around user data protection, absence of stored data encryption, and other potential vulnerabilities. “The Office of Cybersecurity has deemed WhatsApp a high risk to users due to the lack of transparency in how it protects user data, absence of stored data encryption, and potential security risks involved with its use,” the notice stated.
This move comes just months after WhatsApp revealed in January that Israeli spyware company Paragon had targeted dozens of users, including journalists and civil society members. The incident reignited concerns over the app’s susceptibility to surveillance and espionage, particularly through sophisticated spyware attacks.
While WhatsApp has consistently maintained that it uses end-to-end encryption for messages and calls, critics argue that its metadata collection practices and vulnerability to third-party spyware compromise overall user privacy. Security experts have long warned that the messaging app’s design, while encrypted during transmission, does not offer robust protection for stored data especially if a device is compromised.
The ban marks a growing trend of skepticism among government agencies worldwide regarding the use of commercial messaging apps for official communications. WhatsApp joins a list of apps that have faced scrutiny or outright bans from government institutions over fears of foreign surveillance and data breaches.
The House’s decision underscores the increasing priority placed on securing government communication channels in an era where cyber threats are not only widespread but also highly sophisticated. Staffers are now required to delete the app from any House-managed devices, and alternative secure messaging platforms are being evaluated for future use.
Meta has yet to respond publicly to the ban, but the action signals mounting pressure on tech companies to be more transparent and accountable in protecting user privacy especially when national security is at stake.
