Scotland Bans WhatsApp in Government After Inquiry Revelations
Scottish ministers face new communication protocols as backlash over deleted pandemic messages prompts shift to official channels.
The Scottish Government, responding to mounting criticism over its handling of informal communications during the pandemic, has announced a landmark decision to ban the use of WhatsApp and other non-corporate messaging apps by next spring.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes confirmed the policy shift during a session at the Scottish Parliament, promising comprehensive measures to ensure government communications remain within official, secure, and searchable systems.
The move follows a wave of controversy after it emerged that numerous WhatsApp messages, potentially pivotal to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, were deleted by ministers and senior civil servants.
This revelation sparked widespread concerns about transparency and accountability in governmental communication practices.
Former First Minister Humza Yousaf had commissioned a detailed review to address these issues, culminating in the current decision.
Introducing the new directive, Forbes underscored the necessity of conducting government business on dependable platforms capable of preserving and sharing information appropriately.
'Scottish Government ministers and staff will not be permitted to use WhatsApp, or any other non-corporate communications channel, to conduct Government business,' she declared, emphasizing the alignment with statutory duties.
From next spring, non-corporate messaging platforms will be purged from government devices, and technical systems will be reconfigured to block their use.
In tandem, the administration plans to roll out explicit guidelines delineating permissible communications and ensuring strict adherence to the new rules.
The issue gained prominence in late 2023 when Jamie Dawson KC, the lead counsel for the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, disclosed the widespread deletion of messages within the Scottish Government.
Compounding the controversy, it was revealed that prominent figures, including John Swinney and former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, had erased messages, although both asserted these were not related to official matters.
Adding to the scrutiny, former national clinical director Jason Leitch faced censure for casual remarks about his routine deletion of WhatsApp messages as a 'pre-bed ritual.' As the government navigates this sensitive transition, the emphasis remains firmly on rebuilding public trust through enhanced transparency and rigorous communication protocols.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes confirmed the policy shift during a session at the Scottish Parliament, promising comprehensive measures to ensure government communications remain within official, secure, and searchable systems.
The move follows a wave of controversy after it emerged that numerous WhatsApp messages, potentially pivotal to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, were deleted by ministers and senior civil servants.
This revelation sparked widespread concerns about transparency and accountability in governmental communication practices.
Former First Minister Humza Yousaf had commissioned a detailed review to address these issues, culminating in the current decision.
Introducing the new directive, Forbes underscored the necessity of conducting government business on dependable platforms capable of preserving and sharing information appropriately.
'Scottish Government ministers and staff will not be permitted to use WhatsApp, or any other non-corporate communications channel, to conduct Government business,' she declared, emphasizing the alignment with statutory duties.
From next spring, non-corporate messaging platforms will be purged from government devices, and technical systems will be reconfigured to block their use.
In tandem, the administration plans to roll out explicit guidelines delineating permissible communications and ensuring strict adherence to the new rules.
The issue gained prominence in late 2023 when Jamie Dawson KC, the lead counsel for the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, disclosed the widespread deletion of messages within the Scottish Government.
Compounding the controversy, it was revealed that prominent figures, including John Swinney and former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, had erased messages, although both asserted these were not related to official matters.
Adding to the scrutiny, former national clinical director Jason Leitch faced censure for casual remarks about his routine deletion of WhatsApp messages as a 'pre-bed ritual.' As the government navigates this sensitive transition, the emphasis remains firmly on rebuilding public trust through enhanced transparency and rigorous communication protocols.
