Parliament Discontinues Covid-Era App Due to Security Concerns
The ParliamentNow app, developed during the early weeks of the coronavirus pandemic to facilitate remote participation by MPs and peers, is being retired. Initially hailed as a pioneering solution, the app allowed members to engage in voting processes digitally. However, it has become largely obsolete and is now considered a potential cybersecurity risk. According to parliamentary leaders, the app's technology is outdated and no longer supported by major app stores, posing security vulnerabilities. The app, which once provided a continuously updating feed of parliamentary proceedings, has seen a significant decline in usage, with only 160 monthly users compared to 51,000 monthly views of the equivalent web pages. Consequently, the decision was made to decommission the app, with the Parliament Now website continuing to offer the same information in a more accessible and secure manner. 
