French Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne recently signed a circular, asking all government employees to uninstall foreign communication apps like Signal, WhatsApp, and Telegram by December 8, 2023.In their place, they will use a French messaging app called “Olvid.”
The new rule applies to ministers, foreign ministers, chiefs of staff and cabinet members.
According to BleepingComputer, this is not a ban on the use of foreign messaging apps, but a recommendation to switch to locally developed software.
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The French app Olvid supports end-to-end encrypted messaging, uses decentralized infrastructure, and does not require a phone number or other personal data for registration.
“The main instant messaging applications occupy a growing place in our daily communications. However, these digital tools are not devoid of security vulnerabilities and therefore do not ensure the security of conversations and information shared through them,” the Prime Minister’s speech states.
“To address the threats arising from the use of these applications, the French company Olvid has developed an instant messaging application that guarantees the protection of its users' data thanks to a decentralized directory and end-to-end message encryption, while maintaining the same functionalities as current applications.“.
Meredith Whittaker, President of Signal, disputed the French government's claims about security vulnerabilities in the app and stressed that these claims are unfounded and misleading.
Security comparisons between Olvid and other messaging apps may prove questionable due to Olvid's unique distinction of having a "level one security certification" from ANSSI (France's national cybersecurity agency).
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This certification involves a thorough review of the app's source code by government cybersecurity experts. But none of the other major apps mentioned in this post have undergone a rigorous evaluation process.
This in itself upgrades Olvid's security credentials and practically makes it a good choice for use in the highest echelons of the French government.
According to a French journalist who spoke to BleepingComputer, the exact reason behind the promotion of the Olvid app remains unknown, and it seems that not everyone agrees with the prime minister's directive. For example, some consider Signal to be a good and reliable option.
Previously, in March 2023, the French government followed the example of many other Western countries in banning the use of the TikTok on government officials' devices due to fears of espionage.
The French government now seems to be concerned about the security of foreign messaging apps. Perhaps it fears that important information will be leaked. Employees often reveal sensitive information, such as names, addresses, phone numbers and other government data during conversations. This information can be stolen by malicious users or leaked by the app itself.
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However, the French government’s proposal to ban foreign chat apps from being used by government employees could have significant implications for the app messaging. First, this proposal could lead to a decrease in demand for foreign chat apps. The decrease in demand could lead to a decrease in the revenue and purchasing power of these companies.
source: www.bleepingcomputer.com
