US Border Patrol is using an encrypted messaging app that automatically deletes messages and the National Archives is concerned: report

NBC News reported that the National Archives sent a letter to the US homeland security officials expressing concern about the use of a messaging app.

The chief records officer of the National Archives and Records Administration sent a letter to the chief information officer of the Department of Homeland Security. NBC News reported on the letter.

Brewer expressed concern about how the agency was using the Amazon-owned Wickr app, which can automatically deleted messages, following reports in the news that agents were using the app as well as another messaging service.

In September of 2021, Vice reported that the CBP was using all components of the organization. Vice reported that the Customs and Border Protection paid over $700,000 for a person.

I wanted to make sure that the records management regulations are being followed and that the Customs and Border Protection is regulating the use of these messaging applications in a way that is consistent with the policies of the Department.

He wanted to make sure that all employees were aware that they had to keep all messages for federal records.

The use of these types of apps by DHS employees without any specific rules and without complying with established recordkeeping could expose the department to the risk of potential unauthorized destruction of records.

In June of 2021. The app is used by many people, including the military, government agencies, journalists, and politicians. Analysts told Insider that the move could help Amazon compete with Microsoft.

This isn't the first time the record-keeping has been questioned. The DHS Inspector General said in a report that the Customs and Border Protection did not always save messages between the US and Mexico. In his letter, Brewer asked for a report documenting the unauthorized disposition of the federal records that were identified in the OIG report, as well as information on its recordkeeping with apps like Wickr, within 30 days.

NBC News reported that the Customs and Border Protection agency has been providing quarterly updates.

The National Archives, Amazon, and Customs and Border Protection did not respond to Insider's request for comment.