WhatsApp: 3 reasons why Messenger is not suitable for work
If a cell phone lights up, there is a good chance it is a push notification from WhatsApp. The provider has more than 58 million active users in Germany. They send an average of 1.000 messages per month. The metrics are not only insanely high, but also insanely dangerous for employers when the messages are about work content or documents.
In the following, we explain to you why it is not only inappropriate but also forbidden to distribute internal company information via the messenger.
data security
Data protection is a diverse, but not unfathomable topic. Basically, this is about hosting and the use of user data. The WhatsApp messenger is hosted in the USA, which leads to the problem that the company does not have to comply with European data protection laws. WhatsApp is known to encrypt end-to-end, but there is a common account security issue. Cyber criminals have developed systems to remove users from their own profiles. For example, malicious links or the 6-digit pin trick are used to gain access to an account in seconds. On the one hand, valuable information is stolen here and, on the other hand, ransom money is demanded so that users can regain access to their account. In addition, WhatsApp does not provide encryption suitable for companies, which makes the data flow very sensitive to Trojans and hackers.
The biggest sticking point, however, is that WhatsApp lives from using the collected user information in the same way as Facebook - personalized advertising on all platforms of the Facebook group. This problem was made clear again by the forced update in February 2021. The protest of the users was great because they have to decide whether they want to accept the new user conditions and provide all of their data or leave the platform. The update deadline was then postponed to May 15, 2021. Although this can be seen as a minor admission, it does not solve the problem.
Work-Life Balance
The separation of private and professional is extremely relevant for employees. We are available on WhatsApp 24/7 and always ready to call. In order to be able to separate work and private life better, avoid excessive media demands and give your colleagues the opportunity to no longer "have to see" work documents.
Here, too, security plays a role again. Who hasn't had a message accidentally sent to the wrong chat? Confidential content is protected in the Enterprise Messenger, can only be shared with colleagues and the admins of each system determine which user has which rights, so that documents cannot be randomly distributed internally.
applications
WhatsApp offers no options for managing information and users, integrating colleagues without a mobile phone number, or selecting individual settings. While the messenger fulfills all needs in private and enables a smooth exchange with friends and relatives, actions in the professional environment are limited. If, on the other hand, you use a business messenger, you do not run the risk of your internal company data being sold for advertising purposes, your employees being stressed by the constant availability and losing control of the communication channels.
