The Scottish Government is to stop the use of mobile messaging apps, including WhatsApp, on official devices following the publication of an externally-led review.
The Government had been criticised when it emerged ministers and top civil servants had deleted WhatsApp messages which had been requested by the UK-wide Covid-19 Inquiry.
As a result of a review ordered by former first minister Humza Yousaf, the use of mobile messaging apps will come to an end.
On Tuesday, Kate Forbes told MSPs: “One of the key questions asked in the review was around the use of mobile messaging apps such as WhatsApp.
“The report provides a clear recommendation in this regard. We have taken the decision to end the use of mobile messaging applications across the Scottish Government. This will happen by spring 2025.
“Government business should happen on Government systems which are secure, searchable and allow the appropriate sharing of information, in line with our statutory duties.
“Scottish Government ministers and staff will not be permitted to use WhatsApp, or any other non-corporate communications channel, to conduct Government business.
“To give effect to this, non-corporate mobile messaging applications will, by spring, be removed from devices and our technical environment configured so that they cannot be used.”
The Scottish Government will produce “very clear guidelines” to inform staff what apps can be used, the deputy first minister said.
“Clearly, in our modern world, we also need to ensure that we have robust business continuity arrangements in place including the ability to communicate in the event of a cyberattack removing access to corporate technology,” Forbes said.
“For these circumstances, very clear guidelines will be produced to ensure that every person in the Scottish Government knows what is permitted.”
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