Scottish Government Bans WhatsApp on Official Devices

The Scottish Government has announced a ban on the use of WhatsApp and other non-corporate messaging apps for official business by spring 2025, following a review prompted by the UK Covid Inquiry. Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes stated that the decision aims to uphold standards of transparency and accountability after it was revealed that senior ministers, including Nicola Sturgeon and John Swinney, deleted crucial messages during the pandemic. This policy change comes amidst concerns that such deletions could have obstructed public inquiries. The review deemed previous policies regarding messaging apps 'not fit for purpose' and emphasized that government communications should occur on secure, searchable corporate systems. Critics argue that this move may push informal discussions to personal devices, complicating transparency efforts. The government plans to provide clear guidelines on permitted communication methods for staff moving forward.