Overview

• The prohibition covers all versions of WhatsApp on House-managed devices, including mobile apps, desktop clients and web browsers.
• An internal memo from the Office of Cybersecurity labels WhatsApp’s opaque data practices and lack of stored data encryption as high-risk issues.
• House staff are required to delete any existing WhatsApp installations and transition to approved platforms such as Microsoft Teams, Signal, Wickr, iMessage and FaceTime.
• Meta has challenged the ban, arguing that WhatsApp’s default end-to-end encryption provides stronger user protection than many sanctioned alternatives.
• The Senate has yet to adopt similar guidance, and this step follows earlier restrictions on apps like TikTok and emerging AI tools in government settings.