UK health authorities slammed for WhatsApp use in pandemic
The UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) issued a reprimand and called for a review of how and whether messaging services should be used for government business practices, after finding widespread and potentially dangerous use of private email, WhatsApp and other messaging tools by officials at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).
The investigation was sparked by July 2021 complaints concerned with the potential loss of information from public records due to communication practices that used tools not managed by the Department.
According to the ICO report [PDF], confidentiality and security of personal data was put at risk by use of privately operated comms tools.
Source: UK health authorities slammed for WhatsApp use in pandemic • The Register
