As part of its effort to modernize its officers' mobile phones, the UK's Metropolitan Police Department is prohibiting its officials from using social media apps.
Latest Smartphone Rollout
After months of preparation, Scotland Yard recently informed the Evening Standard that they are conducting a smartphone rollout for its officers. Apps such as maps, news, and transportation services may be downloaded on their mobile phones, but not social media apps.
Although the Met has verified that its different police units have received these new, more secure cellphones, it has not revealed how many of the force's 30,000 active officers have been given one.
A representative clarified that WhatsApp, which many people assume to be a social network, is not included in the ban on social media. Nevertheless, the usage of this popular software is now strictly limited to officers and personnel of the Met, and permission to do so must be requested, presumably on a case-by-case basis.
The Met Police has said that its communications staff will maintain usage of the department's TikTok account.
Misuse of Social Media
The decision seems to signify a major policy change by the Met Police, which has come under fire for officers' usage of social media and the messaging app WhatsApp.
In court, prosecutor Edward Brown QC described a WhatsApp group that Wayne Couzens was a part of with other serving officers as "grossly racist, sexist, and misogynistic." Couzens is currently serving a life sentence at Durham Prison for the kidnapping, rape, and murder of 33-year-old Sarah Everard in March 2021.
In 2020, two policemen from the Met Police were arrested for taking and distributing images on WhatsApp from the park in Wembley, where Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman were murdered. Mina Smallman, the girls' mother, spoke out against the steps taken by the Met Police.
During the Pandemic
TikTok usage by officers of the Met Police during the outbreak has also drawn criticism.
As the UK was fighting the Covid pandemic, Chief Constable Gavin Stephens ordered the Met Police and other forces not to post humorous dancing and singing videos on TikTok and other social networks.
One Scotland Yard officer, said to be named Jordan, reportedly uploaded dozens of videos to TikTok in 2020. Among these include at least six when he was supposed to be working to keep London safe, prompting an investigation, as reported by the Daily Mail.
The new policy by the Met Police is not just a response to issues of professional misconduct but also to continuing security and data privacy concerns connected to social media apps, particularly owing to TikTok.
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