Former Channel Islands data protection commissioner Emma Martins will lead a review into the Scottish Government's use of WhatsApps, following a controversy over their deletion. The review will assess the use of mobile message apps and determine if changes need to be made to the ministerial code. It was commissioned by First Minister Humza Yousaf after former SNP first minister Nicola Sturgeon failed to provide her WhatsApps to the UK Covid Inquiry. The review will also examine the relevance of messaging apps in a government setting and the storage and retention of relevant data.
The Scottish Government has announced that a former Channel Islands data protection commissioner will lead a review into its use of WhatsApps following a row over their deletion. Emma Martins will consider the use of mobile message apps and will decide whether the ministerial code has to be change. The review was commissioned by First Minister Humza Yousaf.
It comes after former SNP first minister Nicola Sturgeon failed to provide her WhatsApps to the UK Covid Inquiry, despite previously promising to do so. Sturgeon said it was Scottish Government policy to regularly delete messages, although some ministers said they were unaware of this policy. Scotland's chief medical officer Gregor Smith also told colleagues to delete WhatsApps "every day". Former National Clinical Director Jason Leitch said deleting messages was a "pre-bed ritual". The review will look into to whether the use of apps is relevant in a government setting and where and how relevant data should be stored and retained. Martins will also examine the value of messaging apps to Ministers in emergency situations and draw on best practices used in other jurisdictions to inform her work. SNP Minister for Parliamentary Business George Adam said: “We are committed to openness and transparency and constantly seek to maintain and improve our performance in this area which is why the First Minister commissioned this important external review
Scottish Government Whatsapp Review Deletion Controversy Mobile Message Apps Ministerial Code Nicola Sturgeon Covid Inquiry Data Protection Storage Retention
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Scottish Government would need to act radically to increase spendingIN this week’s Debate Night on BBC there were calls for more funding to be put into policing, education, mental health, housing and tackling drug…
Read more »
Scottish Government considers closing loopholes on name changes for sex offendersJustice Secretary Angela Constance is considering closing loopholes which allow sex offenders to legally change names. The SNP politician said the Scottish Government may give Westminster permission to pass the legislation on the devolved issue.
Read more »
Scottish Government Quango Withdraws Support for Hardcore Sex ProjectCreative Scotland withdraws support for a project involving non-simulated sex scenes and aims to recover the public funds awarded. The project, called Rein, received over £80,000 in funding and faced widespread criticism. Actors were paid £270 per day to participate in the 45-minute art installation, which included hardcore acts. Creative Scotland launched an investigation after the project's details were revealed and decided to withdraw support.
Read more »
Teacher Slams Scottish Government's Summit on Violence in SchoolsA teacher who was sexually and physically assaulted in her classroom criticizes the Scottish Government's summit on violence in schools as ineffective.
Read more »
Scottish unions call for Government to permanently scrap peak train faresThe Scottish Government announced last year that all train fares on publicly-owned ScotRail will be the same regardless of the time of day, with a trial starting in October.
Read more »
Scottish Government Split Over Exoneration of Post Office Horizon Scandal VictimsA Tory Minister claims that the Scottish Government is divided on how to exonerate victims of the Post Office Horizon scandal, with conflicting positions from SNP Cabinet Secretary Angela Constance and the Lord Advocate. The scandal involved faulty IT systems leading to wrongful convictions of subpostmasters accused of embezzlement. While Constance believes a UK law should apply in Scotland, Tory Ministers have disagreed. The Lord Advocate supports the existing appeals system. The Minister calls for greater clarity on Scotland's position.
Read more »