We call on you to ban the use of “exploding texts” across government:

• Officials and ministers must be ordered not to use disappearing messages on instant messaging apps like Signal or WhatsApp
• Proper records of government discussions must be kept for investigations and history - on any app used for government work
• Respect the Public Records Act and the Freedom of Information Act

More and more critical government business is being run on instant messaging apps like WhatsApp and Signal. These apps include an auto-delete setting, where messages “explode” in as little as a second.

The government has ADMITTED they let ministers and officials set texts to delete. Once a text is gone, it’s gone. Crucial discussions at the heart of government are vanishing - for good. It’s a blatant attempt to dodge transparency and democratic accountability.

Vital evidence of government decision making is being lost to the exploding text. That could include evidence about Brexit, the Covid response, or a political crony lobbying for government contracts. It’s the modern equivalent of shredding documents, and it should stop.

We want to force Boris Johnson to ban the use of exploding texts across the government. We’re going to court to force him. Every signature on the petition helps prove that the public supports this challenge and wants the government to stop using exploding messages today.