The U.K. Information Commissioner's Office called for a government review of agencies' communications over private email and messaging applications, including WhatsApp. The urging stems from a 2021 ICO review of transparency and data security in methods of private communications between ministers and officials at the Department of Health and Social Care. The review found a "lack of clear controls" around utilized messaging apps and technology could have led to "lost or insecurely handled" information around the government's COVID-19 response.