Messaging app used by Trump official suspends operations after reported hack

National Security Advisor Michael Waltz was recently seen preparing for a television interview at the White House while using the messaging app TeleMessage. This app, which serves as a modified version of the encrypted messenger Signal, is now facing a temporary suspension of services due to a reported security breach, as confirmed by its parent company, Smarsh.

Investigation Underway

A spokesperson for Smarsh stated, “TeleMessage is investigating a potential security incident.” The company acted swiftly upon detection of the issue, engaging an external cybersecurity firm to assist in the investigation. As a precautionary measure, all TeleMessage services have been temporarily halted, while other Smarsh products continue to operate normally.

The potential hack, first reported by tech news outlet 404 Media, involves the theft of data from messages sent via TeleMessage’s versions of popular messaging platforms such as Signal, WhatsApp, Telegram, and WeChat. However, it is important to note that the hacker has not accessed messages from Waltz or his contacts, as reported by 404 Media.

The White House has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the suspension of TeleMessage services. The administration has previously defended the use of Signal, stating it is an approved application for official communications and is pre-installed on government-issued phones. Nevertheless, former President Donald Trump had previously advised officials against using Signal, particularly following the “Signalgate” controversy, where Waltz inadvertently included a journalist in a private discussion about military strategies. Trump remarked, “I think we learned: Maybe don’t use Signal, okay?” in a recent interview with The Atlantic.

During a Cabinet meeting shortly after Trump’s comments, Waltz was photographed with TeleMessage open on his device, indicating communication with key figures such as Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.

In a related development, Trump announced his intention to nominate Waltz as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Until the national security advisor position is filled, Rubio will serve as the interim advisor, maintaining his roles as Secretary of State and acting administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development.

The Signalgate incident raised concerns about whether messages in private discussions were being automatically deleted, potentially violating federal records-retention laws. TeleMessage markets itself as a solution for government agencies and businesses to comply with these laws by creating backup copies of chats. However, 404 Media has highlighted that TeleMessage may compromise Signal’s end-to-end encryption, which is designed to protect message privacy, as the messages can be retrieved after being stored externally. A spokesperson for Signal emphasized, “We cannot guarantee the privacy or security properties of unofficial versions of Signal.”

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Messaging app used by Trump official suspends operations after reported hack