Commitment to openness and transparency.
The Scottish Government is to stop the use of mobile messaging
apps, including WhatsApp, on official devices following the
publication of an externally-led review.
Deputy First Minister welcomed the review of mobile
messaging apps and non-corporate technology and confirmed that
access to these apps will be removed from government devices in
spring 2025.
Updated guidance and training for staff and Ministers will take
place ahead of the new policy being implemented.
The review, led by former Channel Islands data protection
commissioner Emma Martins, was commissioned in January this year
by the then First Minister as part of the Scottish Government's
commitment to improving openness and transparency.
Ms Martins makes 20 recommendations on different areas of
corporate governance, including the values of the Scottish
Government, learning and development process, recruitment
procedures, records management and the use of mobile messaging
apps. Improvement work is already underway – including
strengthening the Scottish Ministerial Code and refreshing the
mobile messaging app policy.
The Deputy First Minister said:
“I am very grateful to Emma Martins for her time and insight in
conducting her review.
“We have carefully considered the recommendations and we will end
the use of mobile messaging applications to conduct government
business by spring 2025. At that point, mobile messaging
apps will be removed from corporate devices.
“The use of mobile messaging apps increased during the pandemic
as staff worked remotely in unprecedented and difficult
circumstances. Having reflected on our working practices, we are
now implementing changes to the use of mobile messaging apps.
“Ms Martins' timely review sets out some of the most challenging
issues facing all governments. Work has already started to
implement recommendations, and we will build on that work to
ensure that data management, especially in relation to new
technologies, is as robust as possible in order to continue to
deliver efficient and effective public services.”
Emma Martins said:
“I was pleased to be appointed to conduct this review and I am
grateful to the Scottish Government for the open and constructive
way in which they have engaged with me throughout.
“Technologies are changing our lives at home and in the
workplace. No organisation can afford to sit back and hope that
navigating those changes will come without effort. Values need to
be clear, individuals need to engage, and governance needs to be
effective.
“The Scottish Government already understands this and there a
number of improvements already in train. It is my sincere hope
that the recommendations in this review serve as additional fuel
for that important journey.”
Background
Externally-led review into
mobile messaging apps and non-corporate devices
The externally-led review
was commissioned by former First Minister Humza Yousaf in January
2024
Scottish Ministerial Code
strengthened
