The U.S. House of Representatives has officially banned Meta’s WhatsApp messaging platform from all government-issued devices, citing significant cybersecurity risks.

The directive, announced in a memo circulated to House staff on Monday, reflects growing concern over data protection and transparency within the popular messaging service.

According to the memo issued by the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer, WhatsApp was designated a “high risk” platform due to several factors, including a lack of transparency in data protection practices, the absence of stored data encryption, and broader security 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 memo stated.

The House memo recommended that congressional staffers transition to alternative platforms considered more secure. Approved messaging services include Amazon’s Wickr, Apple’s iMessage and FaceTime, Microsoft Teams, and Signal.

In response, Meta — the parent company of WhatsApp — issued a strong rebuttal. A spokesperson said the company "disagreed with the decision in the strongest possible terms," asserting that WhatsApp offers higher levels of security than the alternatives listed in the memo.

The ban comes amid heightened scrutiny of digital communication tools used by government officials. In January, WhatsApp acknowledged that users on its platform — including journalists and civil society members — had been targeted by Israeli spyware company Paragon Solutions.

The decision echoes a similar move in 2022, when the House banned TikTok from all government devices over concerns about data privacy and its ties to China.

As digital security becomes an increasingly critical concern in U.S. governance, officials continue to reassess the platforms deemed safe for official communication. (ILKHA)