Biman Bangladesh bans WhatsApp for official use

Biman Bangladesh Airlines has formally banned WhatsApp for internal communications, citing concerns about cybersecurity and the protection of corporate information.

In a directive issued by the airline’s IT department earlier this week, employees have been instructed to use Microsoft Teams as the new standard for official communication.

According to the notice, the decision was made to strengthen the airline’s cybersecurity framework and ensure the secure handling of sensitive information. It states that Microsoft Teams is globally recognized for secure, professional communication and offers features such as text messaging, voice and video calls, and file sharing.

The IT department noted that creating Teams accounts is simple, as employees can use their personal email addresses and phone numbers. This makes the transition easy for staff. Many global corporations and government agencies have already adopted the platform, moving away from WhatsApp because it is a third-party app and has potential security issues.

ABM Raushan Kabir, General Manager of Biman’s Public Relations Department, said that the airline has signed a formal agreement with Microsoft to use its platform for corporate communication and virtual meetings.

WhatsApp had already been disabled on official desktop computers a few months ago as part of a gradual rollout.

“This move will reduce the risk of cyber threats and promote a more professional communication culture within the organization,” Kabir said.

This decision highlights a rising trend among businesses to prioritize secure, enterprise-grade communication platforms instead of consumer messaging apps.