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White House Says No More Personal Cellphones In The West Wing

Citing security concerns, the White House is banning personal devices for staffers and guests in part of the White House.
Posted at 11:27 AM, Jan 04, 2018
and last updated 2018-01-04 11:27:23-05

West Wing staffers will say "goodbye" to their personal cellphones while they're at work.

Starting next week, White House employees and guests can't use their personal devices in the West Wing. Instead, all business must be done on their government-issued ones.

Rumors of a personal cellphone ban started circulating months ago. In a statement Thursday, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders cited security and integrity concerns.

Multiple government officials told Politico last year they thought White House chief of staff John Kelly's personal cellphone might've been compromised for months. Kelly is reportedly the one enforcing the ban.

Government devices are more secure, and one official told Bloomberg there are just too many devices on the White House network.

Aides have expressed concerns about contacting their families or others during the work day as government devices have limited communication.