For security reasons – no more WhatsApp – Threema is mandatory in the Swiss Army

The Swiss Army has banned its relatives from using WhatsApp for official instructions in the future. Alle – from the driver to the cadre to the soldier – Exchanges exclusively via the paid Threema messenger app. The command to commanders and chiefs of staff came via in late December Mail. The letter is the “Tages-Anzeiger” before.

Gseveral reasons led to this decision – dthe most important: the security of the exchanged data. While apps like Whatsapp or Telegram and Signal finance themselves by selling data to the advertising industry, Threema only takes it through app salese profite one. The app costs four francs.

In addition, Threema is not subject to the Cloud Act law like US companies, explained Army spokesman Daniel Reist. The Cloud Act obliges US tech companies to the authorities in the USA to ensure access to stored data even when storing alsoerhalb des Landes efollows. Whatsapp belongs to the US group Meta, formerly Facebook. Different with Threema: The Swiss instant messaging service is based in Pfäffikon SZ.

As a further reason, Reist cites the fact that Threema can be used anonymously, personal data is not displayed. The app is also compliant with the European General Data Protection Regulation and is subject to Swiss case law, according to Army spokesman Reist.

Another point: One of the most popular functions on WhatsApp – the formation of groups – was used extensively by the army. 100,000 conscripts receive business information via Whatsapp’s private service. “On the evening before the exercise, the platoon leader tells his people what they should put in their backpack, whether the assault rifle is required and where the meeting point is”, says a company commander to the «Tagi». So that should but now The end: it should no longer be possible to send business information on private channels.

Threema should künftig fbe used for all business communication: from the “internal” level to the “confidential” level for some formations, explained Travels. The army’s other means of communication, such as radios or data lines, will continue to operate independently. These are protected, but cannot be used by all members of the army because there is not a device available for every soldier.

The business version of Threema, Threema Work, has already been used in the federal administration – and thus also in the army administration. Army personnel who the app not yet hevenings, müssen sie download, everyone else will be reimbursed. It will be settled via the troop accounting.

The Schwyz company is delighted: “We take this decision as a compliment for our Swiss solution,” says Threema spokesman Roman Flepp. Worldwide, dieggIn 2014 the company created 10 million users according to its own information. 80 percent of them in German-speaking countries, Germany is their main market.