WASHINGTON — The White House may ban its employees from using personal mobile phones while at work, raising concerns among staff that they’ll be cut off from family and friends, according to five administration officials.
President Trump has complained about press leaks, but one official said the potential change isn’t connected to concerns about unauthorized disclosures to news organizations.
The proposed ban is instead driven by cybersecurity concerns, the officials said. One official said that there are too many devices connected to the campus wireless network and that personal phones aren’t as secure as those issued by the federal government.
The officials requested anonymity to discuss the proposal because it’s not final.
The White House already takes precautions with personal wireless devices, including by requiring officials to leave phones in cubbies outside of meeting rooms where sensitive information is discussed. Top officials haven’t yet decided whether or when to impose the ban.
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