Half of Australia’s law enforcement agencies have banned officers using encrypted messaging apps
www.theguardian.com
Exclusive: After NSW ban on the likes of WhatsApp and Signal, federal counterparts permit a ‘limited number’ which they declined to reveal

Interesting, I wonder if its due to making sure the messages are traceable and staff are accountable. As stated by the authorities

Or is there something they know that we dont? Lemmy has made me paranoid about the security of messaging apps…

(I have no idea how to read code so I wouldn’t have a clue)

  • maniacalmanicmania@aussie.zone
    41·
    2 months ago

    This is a ban of those apps on work issued devices, not personal devices. I suspect there’s a range of reasons for doing this but I don’t think the apps being compromised is one of those reasons. Most likely the opposite, the apps work too well.

    • Greg Clarke@lemmy.caEnglish
      14·
      2 months ago

      Yeah, I’m sure it’s for auditing and being able to respond to freedom of information requests etc

  • JackGreenEarth@lemm.eeEnglish
    20·
    2 months ago

    This is only on work issued devices or for work purposes. This doesn’t affect personal devices.

  • philpo@feddit.orgDeutsch
    12·
    2 months ago

    Any company allowing the unregulated use of these on their devices has a information protection and most likely also an IT security problem. Even more valid for any government security or law enforcement organisation.

    BTW: GDPR prohibits this in the EU.

  • a1studmuffin@aussie.zoneEnglish
    7·
    2 months ago

    WhatsApp has been exploited before with a zero-day, check the Complaints section in this link:

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pegasus_(spyware)

    The reality is WhatsApp and Signal will continue to be high-value targets for exploits given the number of users, cloud infrastructure reliance and promise of secure communications, so it’s a wise idea to avoid them for defence matters.