In a decisive move to enhance communication protocols, NatWest Group has implemented a ban on popular messaging platforms including WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Skype on its UK devices. This decision aims to curb the use of these applications for internal communications among staff.
Strengthening Communication Channels
The bank had previously advised employees to utilize only “approved channels” for discussions related to business. However, the latest directive takes a firmer stance by rendering these messaging services inaccessible on work-related phones and computers.
The challenge of off-channel communications is a notable concern in both corporate and political arenas. Messaging applications like WhatsApp often facilitate conversations that evade the scrutiny typically associated with more formal communication methods. The ephemeral nature of messages—many of which can be set to disappear—poses significant challenges for record-keeping. In contrast, communications conducted through sanctioned channels are fully retrievable, allowing for thorough investigations in cases of potential misconduct.
In a statement, NatWest emphasized its commitment to maintaining structured communication practices: “Like many organisations, we only permit the use of approved channels for communicating about business matters, whether internally or externally.” This policy change took effect earlier this month.
The banking sector has faced considerable scrutiny regarding compliance with record-keeping regulations, with US banks collectively incurring fines exceeding .8 billion (£2.18 billion) in recent years. Institutions such as JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and Citigroup have all been penalized for failing to manage communications appropriately, particularly when employees were unable to retrieve past messages from unapproved platforms.
Adding to the regulatory landscape, reports from August indicated that the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is contemplating an investigation into the use of messaging services by bank employees. This follows a notable fine imposed by energy regulator Ofgem on Morgan Stanley for utilizing private phones for WhatsApp communications, which violated established record-keeping rules.
Beyond the banking sector, the public sector has also grappled with similar issues. The use of messaging applications for governmental purposes has raised questions, particularly highlighted during the UK Covid inquiry. The inquiry unveiled that officials and ministers had deleted WhatsApp messages exchanged throughout the pandemic, including those involving former Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Johnson disclosed that he had lost approximately 5,000 messages, while cabinet member Penny Mordaunt noted that two years’ worth of messages with him had vanished.
