Scotland has implemented a ban on the use of WhatsApp and other non-corporate messaging apps on government phones, following a review sparked by the UK’s COVID inquiry. This decision aims to ensure that government business is conducted through secure and accountable communication channels.
The Ban and Its Implications
The new policy, announced on Tuesday by Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, comes after an external review commissioned by former First Minister Humza Yousaf. As part of the initiative, not only WhatsApp but all non-corporate mobile messaging applications will be removed from official devices by next spring.
Forbes explained that government communication should take place through official systems that are secure, searchable, and capable of sharing information appropriately, in compliance with legal obligations.
Context Behind the Ban
This move follows a significant controversy that emerged from the United Kingdom’s COVID inquiry. The inquiry revealed that senior government officials, including ministers and top civil servants, deleted WhatsApp messages during the pandemic, raising questions about transparency and accountability.
Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was among those criticized for deleting many of her WhatsApp messages sent during this period. The revelations from the inquiry have triggered a broader debate about the use of informal messaging platforms for official communications, particularly in relation to government accountability.
The ban reflects a growing concern over the use of personal, non-secure communication channels for government matters, with a push for more structured and auditable systems to ensure the integrity of public service communications.
