NatWest Group has banned the use of popular messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger on company devices in the UK. This decision is dr

Employees must stick to official channels to make sure their messages are fully retrievable.

One of the UK’s largest banks has banned employees from using instant messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Skype, and Facebook Messenger. NatWest had previously asked workers to ensure they used ‘approved channels’, but has now gone one step further and made messaging platforms inaccessible from company-issued devices.

The UK banking group said it wants its employees to stick to 'approved channels' for work-related communication

The concern is that WhatsApp and other services can be used for conversations without the normal scrutiny that would cover conversations over work email or similar monitored services.

NatWest has blocked messaging platforms including WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and Skype on corporate devices amid the wider industry clampdown on staff misusing apps at work. The UK banking group said it wants its employees to stick to “approved channels” for work-related communication.

Companies in the UK and US have began receiving fines for using messaging services such as WhatsApp and Facebook for work communications

NatWest Group staff will no longer be able to use WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger or Skype on their corporate devices