Time To Review Security Of Messaging Applications
Barracuda Networks, July 3,2025
Most organizations don't have a formal policy pertaining to how messaging applications are allowed to be used, but in the wake of a recent decision made by the chief administrator of the U.S. House of Representatives, they may want to reconsider.
A memo sent last week advised congressional staff that the WhatsApp messaging service has been banned from all U.S. House of Representatives devices. The notice said 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 memo doesn't explain what lack of transparency actually means, but earlier this year a WhatsApp official said Israeli spyware company Paragon Solutions had targeted its user base, which includes many government officials. Instead, the memo recommends using other messaging apps, including Microsoft Teams, Apple FaceTime and Signals.