NSW police banned from using WhatsApp on work phones

Police officers in NSW will be barred from using encrypted messaging apps and social media on work-issued devices.

NSW police said on Monday it had introduced security software that meant "social media and other personal apps will not work or be downloadable to NSWPF issued devices".

It "provides secured access to approved NSWPF systems and applications for all users," a NSW police spokesperson said.

's breaking news email

The move will impact about 17,000 officers who have been ordered to remove all communication software from their work-issued phones, the Daily Telegraph reported on Monday.

The restriction comes after an investigation by the law enforcement conduct commission into claims of a police cover-up over an officer's car crash in Sydney's NorthConnex tunnel in 2023.

The watchdog urged NSW police to consider whether the practice of automatically deleting electronic messages was consistent with official policy on keeping records and to issue guidance on the use of encrypted apps on work phones.

After the probe, the NSW police commissioner, Karen Webb, referred concerns officers were using encrypted messaging services to NSW police's public affairs branch.

NSW police said its professional standards command was "also currently reviewing other LECC positions and opinions from that same report".