In a bold move, French Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne has issued a ban on widely-used messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal for ministers and their teams, citing security vulnerabilities. According to a memo dated November 22, obtained by French news outlet Le Point, the ban is rooted in concerns over the security flaws of these digital tools, which, as per the document, cannot guarantee the safety of conversations and shared information.
The memo sets a deadline of December 8 for the government to transition to using the French app Olvid, certified by France’s cybersecurity watchdog ANSSI. This strategic move aims to enhance the security of government communications by adopting a platform that aligns with France’s stringent cybersecurity standards.
French Digital Minister Jean-Noël Barrot affirmed the government’s commitment to this transition, stating, “My team and I have been using it since July 2022. In December, the entire government will be using [Olvid], the world’s most secure instant messaging system,” as reported on X.
Alongside Olvid, the government-developed secure messaging and collaboration app Tchap, launched in 2019, is permitted for official use. This signals a broader push toward bolstering the security and confidentiality of digital communications within the French government.
This recent ban follows the government’s earlier directive to civil servants, instructing them to uninstall various social media platforms, gaming apps, and video-streaming services, including TikTok, CandyCrush, and Netflix, from their work devices. This initiative was prompted by cybersecurity and privacy concerns, reflecting France’s proactive approach to safeguarding sensitive information.
As the December 8 deadline approaches, the French government’s adoption of Olvid and Tchap emphasizes its commitment to strengthening digital communication infrastructure while mitigating security risks associated with widely-used international messaging apps. This move underscores the importance of national cybersecurity measures in protecting sensitive government communications from potential threats.
