In a recent decision, the US House of Representatives staff are required to cease using WhatsApp in favor of a more secure messaging service, such as Apple’s Messages. While this action may appear to undermine secure communication within the government, the goal is to retain control over how classified information is shared, particularly with journalists. As reported by the Financial Times, the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of the House declared a ban on WhatsApp effective June 30, 2025.
This announcement coincided with a visit from Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, to the White House. Previously, Zuckerberg has courted politics to mitigate repercussions stemming from a multi-million dollar settlement with the president in January 2025. Given this context, the restriction on WhatsApp use undoubtedly raises tensions.
Officially labeling the app as “a high risk to users” certainly does not help its case. House CAO Catherine Szpindor emphasized the importance of safeguarding congressional communications, stating that monitoring potential cybersecurity threats is a top priority. As outlined in an email to staff on June 23, 2025, the decision to ban WhatsApp stemmed from concerns about its transparency regarding user data protection, lack of end-to-end encryption for stored data, and general security risks.
While this rationale appears strong, Meta has voiced its disagreement, arguing that WhatsApp provides default end-to-end encryption and should remain on the approved list of messaging apps. The approved alternatives include not only Apple’s Messages but also FaceTime, Microsoft Teams, Signal, and Wickr, which is noted for its high security yet less mainstream recognition. Szpindor mentioned that her team periodically reviews the security of various apps, though no specific schedule was provided for potential updates to the approved list.
In an unrelated development, it was announced that Meta’s CTO, Andrew Bosworth, is set to be promoted in the US Army Reserve, although this change is unlikely to affect the ongoing security dynamics of messaging in Congress. Meanwhile, WhatsApp has introduced its long-awaited native iPad app, but it remains off-limits within the House of Representatives.
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