Mamdani Administration Staffers Ignored Order Against Using Encrypted Messaging App

Staffers within the Mamdani administration reportedly disregarded a directive prohibiting the use of encrypted messaging applications for work purposes. These communications occurred as the administration engaged with a group of nearly 200 individuals described as “influencers” to generate favorable social media coverage.

According to internal communications, on January 15, Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s communications employees were explicitly instructed by Chief Counsel Ramzi Kassem not to use Signal or WhatsApp for work. A memo from Kassem outlined that all work-related messages and emails must be preserved in compliance with records laws. Insiders indicated that a training session was conducted in early March to reinforce this policy.

Despite these directives, Emilia Rowland, the director of Mamdani’s New Media and Cultural Communications, and other members of her staff allegedly continued to use Signal to communicate with influencers. This effort aimed to leverage individuals who had supported the mayor during his campaign to bolster the administration's public image.

The memo from Kassem stated, “You should not use WhatsApp, Signal, or any other communications app or platform for work. If you have questions about the use of other platforms, please contact the Office of the Chief Counsel.”

However, in public statements following reports of the influencer communications, Kassem stated, “There is no City policy against using Signal.” He also noted that the conversations were not publicly inaccessible because the auto-delete settings had been activated until reporters began inquiries.

City Council members had anticipated questioning staffers about these communications at a hearing. However, the administration reportedly sent Tascha Van Auken, director of the mayor’s office of mass engagement, and Records Commissioner Shawnta Smith-Cruz, neither of whom were directly involved in the influencer group chats, to testify.

When questioned about the discrepancy between the internal memo and Kassem’s public remarks, Mayor Mamdani deferred to the counsel’s office, stating, “To quote the chief counsel, there are trainings and there are re-trainings, and that will continue because for us, being in accordance with the record-keeping laws of the city is of paramount importance. I will defer to chief counsel to answer more specifically to your question.”

City Hall did not provide further comment when pressed for details regarding the memo and Kassem’s statement.