Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has ordered a complete ban on the use of WhatsApp and pen drives for any official communication, in a decisive move to strengthen cyber security and protect confidential data.
As per the order, the use of portable storage devices has been declared impermissible in the Civil Secretariat, district offices, and subordinate administrative units, unless specifically authorised under controlled whitelisting. Instead, all departments have been directed to exclusively use GovDrive, the government’s dedicated cloud-based platform, for data storage and inter-departmental exchange.
GovDrive, developed as part of the secure e-Governance framework, offers each registered official 50 GB of storage space, multi-factor authentication, AI-driven analytics, and automatic replication of files to ensure data continuity. Officials said the system will curb reliance on portable devices, enhance accountability, and provide a secure, centralised environment for collaboration.
The directive further warns that violations will attract disciplinary action. Senior officers have been tasked with ensuring strict compliance across their departments.
Authorities added that the ban also complements the administration’s “Green Governance” push by cutting down paperwork and digitising workflows. With GovDrive integrated across government applications, officials expect smoother communication, improved productivity, and higher efficiency in routine operations.
The move comes amid a rising wave of cyber threats targeting government networks across India. By curbing the use of WhatsApp for official exchanges and restricting pen drives considered weak points in data security the J&K administration aims to shield its digital infrastructure from breaches and consolidate records on a secure platform.
Departments have been directed to ensure a seamless shift to GovDrive without hindering administrative functioning. A senior official described the step as “a structural transition from insecure and fragmented practices to a transparent, accountable, and uniform system of governance.”
