SNP Government ministers banned from using WhatsApp following Covid deletion scandal

John Swinney has banned the use of WhatsApp on Scottish Government-issued phones following a furious backlash over the deletion of messages sent during the Covid pandemic.SNP ministers will no longer be able to use mobile messaging apps on official devices from April 2025 following an external review.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 platforms will now be consigned to history.But question marks remain over how much government business is conducted on personal mobile devices owned by politicians, which are not covered by the ban.In a statement, Kate Forbes said: “We have carefully considered the recommendations and we will end the use of mobile messaging applications to conduct government business by spring 2025.

At that point, mobile messaging apps will be removed from corporate devices."The use of mobile messaging apps increased during the pandemic as staff worked remotely in unprecedented and difficult circumstances.

Having reflected on our working practices, we are now implementing changes to the use of mobile messaging apps.“Ms Martins’ timely review sets out some of the most challenging issues facing all governments. "Work has already started to implement recommendations, and we will build on that work to ensure that data management, especially in relation to new technologies, is as robust as possible in order to continue to deliver efficient and effective public services.” To sign up to the Daily Record