WH Goes After Staffer, Guest Phones in 'Security' Push

Employees, guests banned from bringing in personal devices starting next week
By Arden Dier,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 4, 2018 10:40 AM CST
Personal Phones to Be Banned in West Wing
Members of President Trump's administration gather in the Oval Office of the White House on Jan. 28, 2017.   (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)

The White House has a new policy banning personal cellphones at work, but aides tell Bloomberg it has nothing to do with unauthorized leaks to the media. Beginning next week, both staffers and guests will be limited to government-issued devices in the West Wing in response to cybersecurity concerns, press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Thursday, describing "the security and integrity of the technology systems at the White House" as "a top priority." Bloomberg anticipated such a move in November, reporting the idea was pushed by White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, whose own phone was reportedly compromised for months before suspicions were raised. (More White House stories.)

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