While strict guidelines exist for ChatGPT, Congress staff are still permitted to use the paid version, ChatGPT Plus, despite the overall restrictions.

In the midst of these developments, Meta's stock has shown resilience, with a 19% increase this year and a consensus Strong Buy rating among analysts, indicating continued investor confidence.

In addition to recommending secure messaging platforms, the CAO has cautioned staff to remain vigilant against phishing scams and unsolicited messages from unknown numbers.

This decision is part of a broader dialogue in the U.S. regarding the use of digital tools within the government, particularly in light of concerns over espionage, data leaks, and AI-related risks.

Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, has expressed dissatisfaction with the ban, arguing that the app's end-to-end encryption offers a higher level of security compared to many of the suggested alternatives.

Despite Meta's defense of WhatsApp's security features, the app has faced scrutiny due to past vulnerabilities, including incidents involving state-sponsored malware targeting its users.

Recent reports have highlighted security breaches involving WhatsApp, including a spyware attack that affected approximately 100 journalists and civil society members.

Moreover, general WhatsApp users have been warned about a resurgence of scams, particularly the 'him mum text' scam, which deceives victims into sending money to scammers.

House staff are now advised to utilize alternative messaging applications deemed secure, including Microsoft Teams, Wickr, Signal, iMessage, and FaceTime.

The U.S. House of Representatives has implemented a ban on the use of WhatsApp across all government devices, citing significant security concerns regarding data protection and vulnerabilities.

Catherine Szpindor, the chief administrative officer, has mandated the removal of WhatsApp applications from smartphones, laptops, and desktop computers, including the prohibition of web-based versions.

This recent ban follows earlier restrictions on other applications considered risky, such as ChatGPT, TikTok, and Microsoft Copilot.