Do you recommend using WhatsApp for working with survivors?
WhatsApp can offer secure, end-to-end encrypted conversations but we don’t recommend asking survivors to use something that has to be downloaded and have an account since that may not be a safe option for all survivors (since there will always be a trace of the app download and use). Communications on the device could also be monitored if there is spyware on the phone – that device safety assessment should be done regardless of platform. For these reasons, we would not recommend using WhatsApp as a platform for designing and offering services. If some survivors choose that as their safe method for contact and that’s something your agency wants to explore as a way to respond, that’s different. Something that may not be designed for service provision may be ok for a one-off to meet the individual needs of survivors. – Safety Net Team