Following a scandal involving the deletion of COVID-19 related WhatsApp messages, the Scottish Government has banned the use of WhatsApp and other non-corporate communication channels for official business.
First Minister John Swinney has banned the use of WhatsApp for government business after the scandal of deleted covid messages. SNP Ministers and civil servants will no longer be able to use mobile messaging apps from spring next year. Bereaved families were furious former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Swinney and top civil servants had destroyed their WhatsApp messages during the pandemic.
The shock revelations came out during the UK Covid Inquiry and Ministers were accused of covering up the truth behind key pandemic decisions. A review was ordered and WhatsApp and other platform will now be consigned to history. In a statement to Holyrood, Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said of the review: '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. 'Scottish Government Ministers and staff will not be permitted to use WhatsApp, or any other non- corporate communications channel, to conduct government business.' She added: '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.
Scotland Government Whatsapp COVID-19 Scandal
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