The Scottish Government’s decision to ban WhatsApp and other consumer-grade messaging apps for official business marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of secure and accountable workplace communication. This move, announced by Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, reflects the urgent need for transparency, data sovereignty, and secure communication channels in modern governance. At Wire, we couldn’t agree more with this direction.

WhatsApp, the ubiquitous communication tool used for everything from family check-ins, party planning, unsanctioned work communications , and even the occasional cat meme. The app makes staying in touch incredibly easy. So easy in fact that WhatsApp is often used, whether purposefully or not, as a tool for corporate messaging and calling. For any business that has sensitive data to protect or keep private, there are many reasons why using WhatsApp for enterprise communication is a terrible idea.

When American tech giants pitch their cloud services as the answer to Europe's data sovereignty needs, they often use the term "sovereign platforms" to suggest they can offer the highest levels of security and compliance with European laws. However, these claims can be misleading, and trusting US-based companies with critical data might come with significant risks, particularly for public institutions, enterprises, and citizens in the EU.