Source · Select Committees · Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
Recommendation 8
8
Subject Non-Corporate Communication Channels to the same government transparency disclosure regime.
Conclusion
If WhatsApp and other Non-Corporate Communication Channels (“NCCCs”) are to be used in government and, in particular, if they are to be used to communicate with third parties, then they should be subject to the same disclosure regime as other forms of contact. Where exchanges by means of NCCCs are in place of a face-to-face meeting or prompt significant consideration in government, they warrant inclusion in the government transparency releases. If an appropriate transparency regime cannot be found that can command public confidence, which we consider the current arrangements do not, the use of any NCCCs should be blocked on official devices. (Paragraph 37) The Lobbying Act Part One