Posted on 01/04/2018 10:08:06 AM PST by COUNTrecount
The White House announced Thursday that it is banning employees and guests from using personal cellphones in the West Wing, citing security and technology concerns.
"The security and integrity of the technology systems at the White House is a top priority for the Trump administration and therefore starting next week the use of all personal devices for both guests and staff will no longer be allowed in the West Wing,” White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement.
“Staff will be able to conduct business on their government-issued devices and continue working hard on behalf of the American people," she added.
The move comes amid growing concerns about leaks from the White House, though this was not cited as a reason for the new ban.
"Staff will be able to conduct business on their government-issued devices and continue working hard on behalf of the American people." - White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders
Although the ban will include official visitors, it is not expected to apply to members of the press.
The New York Times’ Maggie Haberman first reported on the ban Wednesday night, tweeting that staffers were told “early in the term” but only now is it being enforced.
As of next week, West Wing staffers have been told they can’t use personal cell phones anymore per multiple aides. They were told this early in the term but it’s now being enforced, with security concerns being cited. — Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) January 4, 2018
Bloomberg News reported that the ban was imposed by Chief of Staff John Kelly, who has taken steps to impose order and discipline at the White House since he took the role in July.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Good. Let them use landlines.
Finally getting serious.
I learned in commercial real estate back in 1980 that the more money and power there is on the table, the more likely people are to act badly.
I would think the white house is under constant and state of the art, sophisticated attack, possibly more than any other place on the planet. Allowing personal cell phones in such a place is ludicrous.
The U.S. Navy prohibits cell phone use on ships while the ship is under weigh. The White House could borrow some people from the Navy and make the policy work.
Excellent move.
I worked from 1957 forward to today without having a cell phone in the work place.
Bravo. General Kelly’s hand is in this.
Makes sense.
Not only that. I think it was to pinpoint the leakers. If you use govt issued phones, they will know and read communication.
It’s past time for this to happen. Much damage has already been done and continued for too long.
If enforced it will plug a lot of leaks.
Boy, your 2nd sentence explains about 95% of government an 99.9% of crime.
Phones should be turned in, put in a Farraday cage, and retrieved only when leaving.
Plus: Private email accounts on public computer systems should result in immediate firing.
Now cut off their bathroom privileges!
No telling what “technologies” could be installed in the cell phones. Smart move.
Not me, it’s required.
“””“Staff will be able to conduct business on their government-issued devices and continue working hard on behalf of the American people,” she added.”””
Trump should make this apply to all Federal employees. We could half the number of Federal workers by forbidding them to use personal phones at work.
When Federal workers know their conversations can be monitored on a government issued phone, that will dramatically reduce the amount of non-work talk.
With all the technology available to the WH, will they know if a personal phone is being used? The traitors will find a way around this rule.
Can the wi-fi be turned off and the camera still be used? If so, then that won’t stop them taking pics of any and everything be it on letterhead or a computer screen. Of course, there are small cameras that don’t send out signals could be used.
Can they do personal activities on a government phone?
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