Legal challenge launched after use of self-destructing messages raises concerns over avoidance of scrutiny
Ministers and civil servants are required by policy to set instant messaging chats to delete automatically, it has been revealed, as a judicial review over the government’s use of self-destructing messages was given the go-ahead.
The not-profit organisation the Citizens says the use of disappearing messages, which has been described as “government by WhatsApp”, violates British law on public records and freedom of information.
Use for government business of instant messaging services that allow messages to be automatically deleted, permanently, within a short period of receipt by ministers, civil servants and special advisers.
Cabinet Office policy requiring the use of automatic deletion within all instant messaging services.
Use for government business of personal devices, email and communications applications in breach, it says, of the government’s own policies.
