India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has issued a public advisory cautioning employees against using WhatsApp Web on office computers and laptops. While the feature offers convenience by syncing personal chats to work devices, the ministry warns it could expose private data to employers.
According to MeitY’s Information Security Awareness (ISEA) team, IT administrators and corporate monitoring tools could potentially access personal messages, files, and media. This vulnerability may arise from screen-monitoring software, malware, phishing attacks, or browser hijacks. The advisory also notes that even connecting a personal phone to office Wi-Fi could allow some degree of employer access to private information.
With cybersecurity threats on the rise, many organisations now treat WhatsApp Web as a potential entry point for network breaches. Using the service on office devices increases the risk of malware infiltration and data interception, especially over insecure connections. If a work laptop is compromised, it could lead to large-scale data leaks affecting both employee and corporate information.
For those who must use WhatsApp Web at work, MeitY recommends strict precautions:
- Log out immediately after use.
- Avoid clicking suspicious links or downloading attachments from unknown contacts.
- Review company policies on using personal apps or devices for work tasks.
The government’s warning underscores the need for heightened vigilance as personal and professional digital spaces increasingly overlap, making workplace cybersecurity a shared responsibility between employees and employers.