New Delhi: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has issued a public advisory urging individuals to refrain from using WhatsApp Web on office computers and laptops, according to reports from Financial Express.

The advisory, released by the government’s Information Security Awareness (ISEA) wing, highlights the potential risks of accessing personal chats and files via WhatsApp Web on corporate devices, including the exposure of private information to employers, intentional or otherwise.

What is the problem?

According to the ISEA, while the convenience of checking WhatsApp messages on work systems is tempting, it can open a gateway to serious privacy violations and security threats. IT administrators or system monitoring tools may be able to view conversations and files, particularly in environments where screen-monitoring, malware, or browser hijack tools are in use.

The advisory notes that corporate networks and devices are increasingly vulnerable to phishing attacks and malware spread via messaging apps like WhatsApp Web. In some cases, even using office Wi-Fi to access WhatsApp on a personal phone could make private data susceptible to interception.

The government warns of the “horrors” of using WhatsApp on work-issued machines, particularly the potential for data breaches if a device is compromised or left unattended. It also cautions that seemingly innocuous actions -- such as clicking a malicious link or downloading an attachment from an unknown contact -- could give hackers a backdoor into an organisation’s IT infrastructure.

How to ensure safe use?

For those who must access WhatsApp Web on office machines, MeitY recommends the following safety measures:

  • Always log out of WhatsApp Web when stepping away from your desk or finishing work.
  • Avoid clicking suspicious links or downloading unknown attachments.
  • Check and follow your employer’s IT policies on the use of personal applications and devices in the workplace.