STORY
The Government has appointed Professor Sir Anthony Finkelstein CBE to lead an independent review into the use of non-corporate communications channels in Government. The review will examine how officials, advisers and Ministers use personal messaging apps, personal emails and similar channels for Government business.
The Cabinet Office said the Government was committed to maintaining high standards of information security, transparency, propriety and record keeping. It said these standards were needed to ensure public trust in how decisions are made.
The review was announced by Darren Jones, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. Sir Anthony will consider the human, organisational, legal and technical factors involved in the use of non-corporate communications channels across Government.
The Cabinet Office said there was a need for greater clarity over the use of non-corporate communications channels, including personal messaging apps and emails, for Government business. It said the aim was to ensure communications remained secure and that decisions were recorded appropriately.
The review will define non-corporate communications channels in the context of Government business. It will also cover the use of disappearing messages and similar auto-deletion features. The Cabinet Office said the review would identify security risks linked to the use of these channels. It will also make practical and actionable recommendations intended to improve Government record keeping.