NatWest blocks popular messaging apps including WhatsApp on work devices

The decision aims to enforce communication rules and enhance corporate control

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Natwest bans popular messaging apps on its devices

Banking group NatWest has taken decisive action to restrict the use of popular messaging apps on company devices.

The group has blocked WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Skype, effectively forcing employees to rely solely on "approved channels" for business communications.

The ban was implemented earlier this month as part of a wider industry movement addressing concerns around employees misusing non-official channels for work matters.

"Like many organisations, we only permit the use of approved channels for communicating about business matters, whether internally or externally," NatWest said in a statement.

While NatWest has advised staff for years against using personal messaging platforms for business purposes, this new policy shift now enforces the restriction by blocking the apps entirely from company phones and computers.

The measure aligns with the bank's efforts to maintain compliance standards by ensuring that all business communication happens on official, retrievable channels.

Popular messaging platforms, while convenient for personal use, can pose significant risks to organisations.

Messages sent via these services can be difficult to retrieve or even disappear entirely, making them less transparent and potentially vulnerable to misuse.

The banking sector has faced intense regulatory scrutiny over record-keeping practices.

The issue of communication oversight has become prominent globally, as regulators push financial institutions to maintain transparent and accountable communication practices.

In 2021, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) fined JP Morgan $125 million after discovering that staff often used unofficial apps like WhatsApp and personal devices to discuss business matters, which are harder for the company to monitor and retrieve if needed.

In the UK, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is reportedly considering an investigation into how bank employees use messaging services.

The issue of off-channel communications extends beyond the financial industry. The public sector has also grappled with similar challenges, as evidenced by the UK Covid inquiry, which revealed that officials and ministers had deleted WhatsApp messages exchanged during the pandemic.

In 2022, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) raised serious concerns about the government's use of private messaging apps, such as WhatsApp, for official business.

The data watchdog urged a comprehensive review of the government's practices to address potential risks to transparency and accountability.

The ICO's investigation, which focused primarily on the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), revealed frequent use of private channels by ministers and officials. The investigation found that the use of private channels makes it difficult to track and retrieve official communications, potentially hindering public scrutiny and accountability.

The ICO also highlighted the importance of adequate controls and procedures to ensure compliance with data protection regulations.