Pakistan Army drops WhatsApp, turns to WeChat over security risks

The Pakistan Army has instructed its officers and personnel to discontinue the use of WhatsApp for official communication and gradually transition to the Chinese messaging platform WeChat, according to a directive seen by Pakistani media.

The move represents a significant shift in the military’s internal communications policy, driven by security concerns associated with WhatsApp. The directive states that the platform is viewed as posing heightened risks of surveillance, data breaches and potential hacking of sensitive exchanges.

Under the new guidance, personnel have been asked to migrate official conversations to WeChat as part of broader efforts to strengthen the security of military communications.

The decision underscores Pakistan’s increasing focus on mitigating cyber threats, particularly in the context of safeguarding defence-related information.

WeChat, China’s largest “super app,” offers a wide range of functionalities beyond messaging, including voice and video calls, file sharing and digital payments, enabling it to serve as a comprehensive communication platform.

The shift comes amid deepening defence ties between Pakistan and China. Cooperation between the two countries, historically centred on military hardware, has expanded in recent years to include cybersecurity and intelligence-sharing.

Adopting a common communication platform could facilitate closer coordination between the two militaries during border engagements, joint exercises and other collaborative activities.

By Tamilla Hasanova