UAE Central Bank Orders Banks To Stop Using WhatsApp For Financial Services

The Central Bank of the UAE has directed banks and licensed financial institutions to immediately stop using instant messaging platforms such as WhatsApp to provide financial services or handle customer data, citing fraud and data security risks

The Central Bank of the UAE has ordered all banks and licensed financial institutions to cease using instant messaging applications, including WhatsApp, for financial services and customer data handling. The move is part of a broader push to tighten consumer protections and reduce exposure to fraud and data security breaches in the financial sector.

According to reports on the directive, institutions must halt the launch of any new customer service or financial-service channels on such platforms and identify existing use cases for shutdown or corrective action. Non-compliance could trigger supervisory measures, administrative penalties or financial sanctions.

The decision underscores the UAE Central Bank’s tougher stance on digital risk management as the country continues to modernize financial services while placing greater emphasis on consumer data protection and secure communication channels.