Independent Review of the Use of Non-corporate Communications Channels in Government

The Government is committed to maintaining the highest standards of information security, transparency, propriety, and record-keeping. These standards are essential to ensure public trust in how we make decisions.

In recent years, the way we all communicate has changed considerably, including across the public sector. The Government recognises there is a need for greater clarity over the use of non-corporate communication channels (NCCCs) - such as personal messaging apps and e-mails- for Government business to remain secure and for decisions to be recorded appropriately. It is important that we strike the right balance between transparency and accountability alongside operational efficiency and information security.

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, the Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, has appointed Professor Sir Anthony Finkelstein CBE as the Independent Reviewer of the use of Non-corporate Communications Channels in Government. Sir Anthony will examine the human, organisational, legal and technical factors involved when officials, advisers and Ministers use non-corporate communication channels for work.

The Independent Review of the Use of Non-corporate Communications Channels in Government will:

• Define NCCCs within the context of government business;
• Cover the use of disappearing messages and similar auto-deletion features;
• Identify security risks related to NCCCs
• Make practical and actionable recommendations concerning NCCCs to improve the Government's record-keeping.