Hong Kong reportedly banned its government employees from using popular apps like WhatsApp, WeChat and Google Drive on their work computers. According to the AP news agency, the ban comes amid potential security risks. The Hong Kong government, according to the report, released Computer security instructions many officials complain about the added inconvenience.
For those unaware, data breaches in various Hong Kong government departments earlier this year compromised the personal information of at least tens of thousands of people, sparking concerns.

What the IT guidelines say

Issued by the Hong Kong Digital Policy Office, the guidelines prohibit civil servants from using applications such as WhatsApp, WeChat and Google Drive on their official laptops/PCs. However, they will still be allowed to use the Services from personal devices at work. The report said officials can obtain exceptions to the ban with an official’s approval.

Reactions to the new policy

The report cited Sun Dong, Secretary of Innovation, Technology and Industry, who said the ban was necessary because hacking is becoming a bigger problem. He added that the governments of the United States and China have also adopted strict measures for their internal IT systems.
On the contrary, Anthony Lai, director of VX Research Limited, a company based in Hong Kong and Britain cybersecurity The company said the government’s approach was appropriate due to low cybersecurity awareness among some staff and the lack of comprehensive internal monitoring systems. The AP report further cites an anonymous official who said his office often used cloud storage services to exchange large files with vendors outside of government.