Ephemeral messaging

AppWizard
March 26, 2025
Signal is an encrypted messaging application owned by the nonprofit Signal Foundation, known for its end-to-end encryption. The app has drawn attention in a controversy in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, involving allegations that school board members used Signal to communicate after being instructed to retain records related to a Sunshine Act lawsuit. This has raised concerns about the potential destruction of evidence, as Signal's auto-delete feature may violate federal record retention laws. Additionally, during the Trump administration, Mike Waltz inadvertently included a journalist in a Signal chat discussing a military strike, raising questions about the appropriateness of using commercial messaging for sensitive government communications. The use of auto-deleting messages has sparked debate regarding public accountability and compliance with the Presidential Records Act, as many records must be retained for a minimum of two years.
AppWizard
June 3, 2024
The Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice is warning companies and counsel about the importance of preserving ephemeral messaging and messages sent using collaboration tools. Failure to produce relevant documents may result in obstruction of justice charges, including for defense and in-house counsel. The Division's focus on prosecuting attorneys for obstruction of justice raises concerns about potential chilling effects on cooperation and trust between prosecutors and the defense bar.
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