Information related to WhatsApp messages: FOI Appeal

Information requested

Request 202100255908

For the entire month of March, 2021 (inclusive), any WhatsApp or text messages sent or received by any cabinet secretary of the time on government business.

Request 202100255912

For the month of August 2021, any WhatsApp messages or text messages sent or received by any government minister on government business.

Response

I am writing to you in connection with the above and to provide you with the additional information that we are required to disclose by the Scottish Information Commissioner’s decision 066/25.

The Commissioner found that the Scottish Government complied partially with Part 1 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA) in responding to the information request.  However the Commissioner decided the Scottish Government should disclose some information withheld under sections 28(1), 29(1)(b), 30(b)(ii), 36(1) and 38(1)(b).

A copy of the information can be found at the Annex attached – this includes the original information released and the now un-redacted information required to be disclosed.

A copy of this response will be sent to the Scottish Information Commissioner. ​​​​​​​

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

FOI Decision Notice 066/2025 - Information Released - Annex

File type

PDF

File size

1.6 MB