The United States, UK, Canada and Australia have already banned the installation of the TikTok app on devices owned by public servants for security reasons. In France, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne has now urged cabinet members and top-level staff to stop using the WhatsApp, Telegram and Signal apps because they are allegedly less secure.
Instead, they are advised to use the Olvid application developed by a local company. In the published circular, the use of Olvid is said to increase the level of security, especially in messages containing confidential information. Cabinet members and staff are given until December 8 to use Olvid or Tchap – an application developed specifically for civil servants three years ago – as a messaging application for official purposes.
Olvid was developed by two cryptographers from France. This application passes the highest security standards set by the French Cybersecurity Agency (ANSSI) unlike WhatsApp, Telegram or Signal. To receive this standard the source code must be submitted to ANSSI and survive a cyber attack test for 35 days without any failure.