New South Wales (NSW) Police officers will no longer be able to use encrypted messaging apps such as Telegram, WhatsApp, and Signal on their work-issued phones. This comes after new security software was uploaded, which also prevents the downloading of any encrypted messaging apps in the future. Approximately 17,000 officers have been instructed to remove all communication software from their official phones. Moving forward, the phones will only provide secured access to approved systems and applications for all users.
As a result of this change, officers will now be limited to using SMS for communication. Unlike encrypted messaging apps, SMS can be traced and recalled even after they have been deleted. According to a spokesperson from NSW Police, “With this software…social media and other personal apps will not work or be downloadable [on officer’s work phones].”
This decision by NSW Police follows two findings of serious misconduct against a high-ranking detective by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC). The detective allegedly left a crash scene in Sydney’s NorthConnex tunnel in 2023 “to avoid being breath-tested” and was dishonest about his alcohol use in an insurance claim made after the crash.
During its investigation into the incident, LECC discovered that some officers were deleting messages and records of messages from encrypted applications. The report suggested that this practice was implemented to avoid producing records for public scrutiny and recommended that NSW Police consider whether it aligns with official policy on record-keeping.
The Operation Harrisdale report released on July 18 made several recommendations; however, restricting phone use is currently the only one adopted by Commissioner Karen Webb. NSW Police’s Professional Standards Command is currently reviewing other positions and opinions from the same report.
In 2023, new laws were introduced in NSW targeting the use and possession of encrypted devices used by criminals for evading law enforcement. Offenders can face up to three years imprisonment as a maximum penalty for this offense.
Please note: AAP contributed to this report.
