The use of disappearing messages is recommended in Commission guidance called \u201cChecklist to Make Your Signal Safer,\u201d from 2022. <\/p>\n
\u201cOn the one hand, it reduces the risk of leaks and security breaches, which is of course an important factor,\u201d Commission spokesperson Balazs Ujvari said. \u201cAnd also, it\u2019s a question of space on the phone \u2014 so, effective use of a mobile device.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe president has been complying with these internal guidelines and is using the disappearing message feature, which explains why we could not retrieve any such SMSs.\u201d <\/p>\n
He added: \u201cSMSs may have to be registered under certain circumstances \u2014 for example, if there is a need to follow up, if there\u2019s an administrative or legal impact.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the case of Macron\u2019s message, the Commission concluded that it didn\u2019t meet that threshold. That decision was made by von der Leyen\u2019s powerful head of cabinet, Bjoern Seibert.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was one of the actors taking part in this discussion,\u201d Ujvari said. \u201cThe President assessed the SMS with her Head of Cabinet and relevant services within the Commission.\u201d<\/p>\n