The U.S. House of Representatives has officially banned the use of WhatsApp on all congressional devices, citing cybersecurity concerns. The decision, announced through a directive issued by the House Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), orders all staff to remove the Meta-owned messaging app by June 30, 2025. The move follows a formal risk assessment by the House Office of Cybersecurity, which classified WhatsApp as a “high-risk application.”
In its official guidance, the CAO cited multiple reasons for the ban, including concerns over how WhatsApp handles user data, a lack of encryption for backups, and insufficient transparency about data sharing with third parties. The memo clarified that all forms of WhatsApp—including mobile, desktop, and web-based platforms—must be deleted from devices used for official congressional work.
The decision aligns with broader efforts to tighten digital security across federal institutions. Previously, Congress and other U.S. government agencies had imposed similar restrictions on apps like TikTok, DeepSeek, and the free version of ChatGPT due to data protection and national security concerns.
Despite the ban, WhatsApp remains permitted in the U.S. Senate, highlighting a split between the two legislative bodies regarding secure communications. Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company, pushed back against the decision. In a statement, company spokesman Andy Stone defended the platform’s end-to-end encryption and criticized the inclusion of less secure alternatives—such as iMessage and FaceTime—on the list of approved tools.
The CAO’s directive recommended other communication platforms deemed compliant with federal cybersecurity standards. These include Microsoft Teams, Signal, Wickr, Apple iMessage, and FaceTime. Staffers were also informed that non-compliance could result in follow-up actions from the House’s IT and administrative offices.
Catherine Szpindor, the Chief Administrative Officer, emphasized that protecting congressional data is a top priority. She noted that all third-party apps are continuously reviewed and evaluated for alignment with federal IT policy, including requirements from FedRAMP and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
This latest move adds to the ongoing debate in Washington over the balance between convenience and security in digital communications. With lawmakers and their staff frequently exchanging sensitive policy information and constituent data, digital security remains under intense scrutiny.
The WhatsApp ban underscores the U.S. government’s heightened awareness of cyber threats and reflects growing skepticism toward foreign-owned or globally managed apps that lack strict compliance with American data protection standards.
