The Scottish Government has commissioned an externally-led review into the use of mobile messaging apps and non-corporate devices for government purposes.

The review likely follows backlash the government’s former first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, faced for her use of WhatsApp, the Meta-owned messaging platform, for government purposes during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Commissioned by current first minister Humza Yousaf, the review will be conducted by former Channel Islands data protection commissioner Emma Martins.

The audit will investigate if the use of apps is relevant in a government setting, as well as where and how relevant data should be stored and retained.

Martins will also look into the value of messaging apps to ministers in emergency situations.

The inquiry directly references the ongoing UK Covid-19 inquiry which is assessing both the UK and Scottish government responses to the pandemic. The inquiry has adopted the view that all texts and mobile messages are potentially relevant to its investigation, including messages on private apps like WhatsApp.

Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon has come under fire for deleting WhatsApp messages that may have concerned the government’s pandemic response, but has said that these messages were deleted following government data protocol.

The audit will therefore investigate if changes will need to be made to the definition of “corporate value” in relation to the use of mobile messages and texts in governmental contexts.

The UK Covid-19 inquiry was shown messages between Scottish government officials discussing policy matters, as well as exchanges reminding them that their messages could be subject to Freedom of Information requests, urging them to delete relevant texts.

The former first minister did admit to deleting messages, but claimed that these were informal exchanges deleted on official advice, and that any significant details were recorded.

“I am grateful for this opportunity to support the Scottish Government as they reflect on recent events and seek to learn from them,” Martins said. “In delivering this external review, I will look carefully at the current practices of government with the objective of producing appropriate, meaningful and deliverable recommendations for them going forward.”