Federal employees are increasingly expressing concerns over the security of the communication platforms they once relied upon to connect with colleagues and friends. The political landscape, shaped by figures like Elon Musk and former President Donald Trump, has led to a significant shift in how these workers engage in discussions, both personal and professional.
As trust in traditional communication channels wanes, many federal workers have opted to secure their conversations by migrating to encrypted messaging applications like Signal. This transition reflects a growing wariness not only towards their superiors but also towards the very platforms that facilitate their interactions. Conversations that once flowed freely over text messages and Facebook Messenger are now often relegated to Signal, particularly when sensitive topics arise.
One employee from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) remarked on the necessity of maintaining separate conversations across different platforms, highlighting the pervasive caution among colleagues. “I have to have two separate conversations with someone over two different platforms,” they explained, underscoring the heightened vigilance that has become the norm.
Another federal worker shared that peers have explicitly requested to avoid platforms like Facebook Messenger for work-related discussions, opting instead for the perceived safety of Signal. This shift is fueled by fears that technology companies, particularly those perceived as aligned with the Trump administration, might share user data with the government. Concerns have been raised about the potential for data to be utilized in ways that could identify dissenters within the federal workforce.
“I know that’s such an extreme take, and the sane part of me is saying that would never happen — but a lot of the stuff we said would never happen, did,” one employee reflected, illustrating the anxiety that permeates the current atmosphere.
Day-to-day interactions have also become more guarded. One worker noted a distinct change in the tone of workplace conversations, stating, “Normally we’ll chitchat and maybe make snarky comments about leadership… But for the past three weeks, no more. I’m more circumspect, and I’ve noticed my colleagues are also more circumspect.”
Underlying this shift in communication practices is a broader distrust of technology companies, many of which have fostered close ties with the Trump administration. Notable firms, including Meta, Google, and Apple, have made substantial donations to Trump’s inauguration fund, raising eyebrows among federal employees. Additionally, changes in corporate policies, such as Google’s recent alteration of its holiday calendar, have further fueled skepticism.
Privacy advocates have long sounded alarms about the implications of data held by tech companies. A notable incident in 2022 saw Meta comply with a police search warrant, providing unencrypted chat logs that included discussions about abortion pills in a restrictive state. Such events have only intensified fears regarding the potential misuse of personal data.
In response to inquiries about data requests, Meta has maintained that its policies remain unchanged, asserting that the majority of personal messages on Messenger are end-to-end encrypted. However, privacy experts caution that the legal landscape surrounding data requests is complex, with various avenues for law enforcement to access user information without a court order.
As federal employees navigate this evolving communication landscape, many are turning to forums like r/fednews to exchange security tips and strategies for protecting their digital communications. Signal’s end-to-end encryption offers a layer of security, but users are reminded that their device settings play a crucial role in safeguarding their privacy. Some have even taken additional precautions, such as adopting anonymous display names to further shield their identities.
While Signal has not publicly commented on any uptick in users, data from the Pew Research Center indicates that the federal workforce comprises over 3 million individuals, representing a significant portion of the U.S. labor market. As these workers adapt to a climate of uncertainty, the evolution of their communication practices serves as a telling reflection of the broader societal concerns surrounding privacy and data security.
Federal workers say they increasingly distrust platforms like Facebook
Federal employees are increasingly expressing concerns over the security of the communication platforms they once relied upon to connect with colleagues and friends. The political landscape, shaped by figures like Elon Musk and former President Donald Trump, has led to a significant shift in how these workers engage in discussions, both personal and professional.
As trust in traditional communication channels wanes, many federal workers have opted to secure their conversations by migrating to encrypted messaging applications like Signal. This transition reflects a growing wariness not only towards their superiors but also towards the very platforms that facilitate their interactions. Conversations that once flowed freely over text messages and Facebook Messenger are now often relegated to Signal, particularly when sensitive topics arise.
One employee from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) remarked on the necessity of maintaining separate conversations across different platforms, highlighting the pervasive caution among colleagues. “I have to have two separate conversations with someone over two different platforms,” they explained, underscoring the heightened vigilance that has become the norm.
Another federal worker shared that peers have explicitly requested to avoid platforms like Facebook Messenger for work-related discussions, opting instead for the perceived safety of Signal. This shift is fueled by fears that technology companies, particularly those perceived as aligned with the Trump administration, might share user data with the government. Concerns have been raised about the potential for data to be utilized in ways that could identify dissenters within the federal workforce.
“I know that’s such an extreme take, and the sane part of me is saying that would never happen — but a lot of the stuff we said would never happen, did,” one employee reflected, illustrating the anxiety that permeates the current atmosphere.
Day-to-day interactions have also become more guarded. One worker noted a distinct change in the tone of workplace conversations, stating, “Normally we’ll chitchat and maybe make snarky comments about leadership… But for the past three weeks, no more. I’m more circumspect, and I’ve noticed my colleagues are also more circumspect.”
Underlying this shift in communication practices is a broader distrust of technology companies, many of which have fostered close ties with the Trump administration. Notable firms, including Meta, Google, and Apple, have made substantial donations to Trump’s inauguration fund, raising eyebrows among federal employees. Additionally, changes in corporate policies, such as Google’s recent alteration of its holiday calendar, have further fueled skepticism.
Privacy advocates have long sounded alarms about the implications of data held by tech companies. A notable incident in 2022 saw Meta comply with a police search warrant, providing unencrypted chat logs that included discussions about abortion pills in a restrictive state. Such events have only intensified fears regarding the potential misuse of personal data.
In response to inquiries about data requests, Meta has maintained that its policies remain unchanged, asserting that the majority of personal messages on Messenger are end-to-end encrypted. However, privacy experts caution that the legal landscape surrounding data requests is complex, with various avenues for law enforcement to access user information without a court order.
As federal employees navigate this evolving communication landscape, many are turning to forums like r/fednews to exchange security tips and strategies for protecting their digital communications. Signal’s end-to-end encryption offers a layer of security, but users are reminded that their device settings play a crucial role in safeguarding their privacy. Some have even taken additional precautions, such as adopting anonymous display names to further shield their identities.
While Signal has not publicly commented on any uptick in users, data from the Pew Research Center indicates that the federal workforce comprises over 3 million individuals, representing a significant portion of the U.S. labor market. As these workers adapt to a climate of uncertainty, the evolution of their communication practices serves as a telling reflection of the broader societal concerns surrounding privacy and data security.