U.S. House Staff Banned From Using WhatsApp Over Security Concerns

Government Memo Cites Critical Security Flaws

A recent directive circulated among U.S. House of Representatives staff has resulted in a ban on the use of WhatsApp on official devices. The Office of Cybersecurity, in a detailed memo, characterized the messaging platform as a high risk due to its opaque data protection methods, lack of stored data encryption, and overall vulnerability to security breaches.

Mandated Alternatives To Secure Government Communications

The memo recommends the adoption of alternative communication tools such as Signal, iMessage, FaceTime, and Microsoft Teams. This strategic pivot underscores the government’s commitment to reinforcing secure channels for official correspondence and protecting sensitive data against evolving cyber threats.

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Industry Implications And Recent Security Incidents

The decision follows recent industry events, including Meta’s disclosure earlier this year of a thwarted hacking campaign targeting journalists and other users. The breach, linked to Paragon Solutions—a company acquired last December by AE Industrial Partners—raises broader concerns about the integrity of popular messaging services. Additionally, research has indicated that several nations, including Australia, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Israel, and Singapore, may be engaging with Paragon’s spyware products, further highlighting persistent global cybersecurity challenges.

A Call For Transparency And Robust Data Protection

While Meta has yet to comment on the ban, the measure reflects a growing intolerance for digital platforms that fail to provide transparent, high-standard data protection, particularly within critical government communications. This development serves as a reminder for both public officials and the private sector of the imperative for stringent cybersecurity protocols in today’s interconnected digital landscape.

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Foreign Firms Contribute €3.5 Billion To Cyprus Economy In 2023

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

November 12, 2025

Recent Eurostat data reveals that Cyprus remains an outlier within the European Union, where foreign-controlled companies contribute minimally to the nation’s employment figures and economic output. While these enterprises have a substantial impact in other member states, in Cyprus they account for only 10 percent of all jobs, a figure comparable only to Italy and marginally higher than Greece’s 8 percent.

Employment Impact

The report highlights that foreign-controlled companies in Cyprus employ 32,119 individuals out of a total workforce that, across the EU, reaches 24,145,727. In contrast, countries such as Luxembourg boast a 45 percent job share in foreign-controlled firms, with Slovakia and the Czech Republic following closely at 28 percent.

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Economic Output Analysis

In terms of economic contribution, these enterprises generated a total value added of €3.5 billion in Cyprus, a small fraction compared to the overall EU total of €2.39 trillion. Notably, Ireland leads with 71 percent of its value added stemming from foreign-controlled firms, followed by Luxembourg at 61 percent and Slovakia at 50 percent. On the lower end, France, Italy, Greece, and Germany exhibit values below 20 percent.

Domestic Versus Foreign Ownership

The data underscores Cyprus’s heavy reliance on domestically controlled enterprises for both employment and economic output. However, it is important to note that certain businesses might be owned by foreign nationals who have established companies under Cypriot jurisdiction. As a result, these firms are classified as domestically controlled despite having foreign ownership or management components.

Conclusion

This analysis emphasizes the unique role that foreign-controlled enterprises play within the Cypriot economy. While their overall impact is limited compared to some EU counterparts, the presence of these companies continues to contribute significantly to the island’s economic landscape.

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