iMessage Archives

AppWizard

May 17, 2025

Why KakaoTalk’s typing indicator is getting on some Koreans’ nerves

KakaoTalk introduced a beta feature called a typing indicator, which displays a three-dot animation when someone is composing a message. This feature has received mixed reactions from users, with many expressing discomfort about sharing their typing status, comparing it to formal communication tools. Users have voiced their dissatisfaction online, with some questioning the necessity of this update and expressing concerns about the platform evolving into one similar to workplace messaging applications. KakaoTalk allows users to disable the typing indicator in the Settings under the Kakao Lab section. Additionally, Kakao Lab includes other features like AI tools for summarizing chat conversations.

AppWizard

May 3, 2025

Photo appears to shows Mike Waltz using Signal-like app that can archive messages

White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly confirmed that the encrypted messaging application Signal is officially sanctioned for government use and installed on government-issued devices. The National Security Council has not commented on the related app, TeleMessage, which is derived from Signal and designed to help government entities comply with records retention laws. TeleMessage was founded in 1999, acquired by Smarsh in 2024, and has been involved in government contracts, including a .1 million contract with the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA that began in February 2023 and will conclude in August 2025. Tom Padgett, Smarsh’s president for enterprise business, stated that like Signal, messages sent through TeleMessage are encrypted, but the app does not address security issues raised by a recent incident involving Signal. The specifics of how government officials utilize TeleMessage remain unclear, and five cybersecurity experts admitted they were unfamiliar with the app prior to recent developments. TeleMessage licenses parts of its technology, including its encryption protocol, to other companies, but Signal clarified there is no formal agreement with TeleMessage and expressed concerns about the privacy and security of unofficial versions of their app.

AppWizard

March 27, 2025

Which is the most secure messaging app? Expert weighs in after U.S. war plan leak blunder

A significant intelligence breach occurred when Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, was inadvertently added to a sensitive Signal group chat that included discussions about U.S. military operations targeting Houthi rebels in Yemen, involving Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer described it as "one of the most stunning breaches of military intelligence." Experts emphasized that the breach resulted from human error, not flaws in encryption technology. Signal is considered the gold standard for secure messaging due to its end-to-end encryption and lack of metadata collection. Other platforms like iMessage and WhatsApp have varying levels of security, with iMessage requiring both parties to use Apple devices for full protection, and WhatsApp collecting metadata. Telegram does not enable end-to-end encryption by default for standard messages. The incident highlights that even the most secure messaging applications cannot prevent breaches caused by human oversight.

AppWizard

March 26, 2025

How Signal can leave the door open for spies and hackers

Signal is a preferred messaging platform for journalists, whistleblowers, and privacy advocates due to its security features, but it has vulnerabilities. Recently, Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of the Atlantic, was accidentally added to a Signal group chat about military operations against Houthi targets in Yemen that included high-ranking officials like Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Vice President JD Vance. This group chat lasted six days, during which the others were unaware of his presence. While Signal is known for its strong encryption, the incident highlighted that security measures cannot prevent human error. Military communications typically occur over secure systems like SIPRNet and JWICS, not general messaging apps like Signal.

AppWizard

March 25, 2025

What to know about Signal, the app used by Trump officials to text war plans

An encrypted messaging app named Signal has been used by high-ranking officials from the Trump administration, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Vice President JD Vance, to discuss a sensitive military operation. This conversation included Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, who reported on the incident. The National Security Council confirmed the authenticity of the messages. Signal, which has around 70 million users, offers end-to-end encryption and is operated by the nonprofit Signal Foundation. Despite its security features, experts warn that it is not immune to hacking, as highlighted by a National Security Agency bulletin in February 2025 regarding vulnerabilities within the app. Government officials have used Signal for sensitive communications, but there are potential legal implications for sharing classified information on nonsecure platforms, which could violate the Espionage Act. Some messages in a group chat were set to disappear after one to four weeks, raising concerns about federal record preservation laws.

AppWizard

February 18, 2025

You Can Now Text Yourself via RCS on Google Messages (and You Should)

Google Messages has introduced a beta feature that allows users to send messages to themselves using RCS (Rich Communication Services), which provides advantages over SMS, such as the ability to send longer texts and high-resolution media without compression. However, RCS messages sent to oneself currently lack encryption. If the feature is active on a device, users can simply text themselves, or they may need to enroll in the Google Messages beta program. Self-messaging offers convenience and the ability to synchronize messages and media across devices, but users concerned about security may consider using encrypted platforms like Signal for sensitive information.

AppWizard

December 5, 2024

Hackers May Be Reading Your Texts — U.S. Officials Urge All Americans to Use Encryption Messaging Apps in the Wake of Massive Cyberattack

A cyberattack attributed to Chinese hackers has compromised the data of over 1 million customers, targeting major telecommunications companies like AT&T, Verizon, and Lumen Technologies. The hackers may have intercepted live conversations and accessed private text messages, with political figures, including campaign teams for Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, being potential targets. Security experts stress the importance of encryption for safeguarding communications, recommending secure messaging applications like Signal Private Messenger, Telegram, or WhatsApp. There are concerns that the hackers may still be present in the telecommunications networks.

AppWizard

December 4, 2024

FBI Warns Americans to Start Using Encrypted Messaging Apps

America's leading cybersecurity and law enforcement officials convened to address cyber threats, particularly following the Salt Typhoon intrusion attributed to Chinese government hackers, described by Senator Mark Warner as “the worst hack in our nation’s history.” The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the FBI advised Americans to use encrypted messaging applications like Signal to protect against foreign infiltration. Encryption was emphasized as a vital defense, with officials noting that the hackers could not access encrypted communications, although they did gain access to metadata related to messages and phone calls. The Five Eyes alliance issued guidelines to fortify systems against the Salt Typhoon attack. Concerns remain about the implications of potential shifts in governance and the protection of civil liberties in an increasingly volatile political climate.

AppWizard

December 4, 2024

US Warns Citizens to Use Encrypted Messaging Apps Amid Cyberattack on Telecom Giants

A significant cyber intrusion has targeted major US telecommunications firms, including AT&T and Verizon, linked to Chinese state-sponsored actors and identified by Microsoft as Salt Typhoon. The FBI and CISA have confirmed that the attack focused on leading telecom companies, infiltrating sensitive data such as phone metadata, live calls, and law enforcement surveillance systems. The breach is attributed to the Chinese government, aiming to gather intelligence on American political and governmental operations, but officials state it is not intended to interfere with the 2024 elections. Types of sensitive information stolen include call logs and metadata, intercepted live conversations, and access to law enforcement systems. In response, officials are encouraging the use of encrypted messaging applications like Signal, WhatsApp, and iMessage to protect personal communications. The breach raises concerns about the vulnerability of telecom systems governed by the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA), which may not fully encrypt messages. Despite the damage caused by the Salt Typhoon operation, the breach highlights the risks associated with cyber espionage from state-sponsored groups, emphasizing the need for robust encryption to safeguard personal information.

AppWizard

December 4, 2024

U.S. officials urge Americans to use encrypted apps amid cyberattack

A significant cyberattack, dubbed Salt Typhoon, has targeted major U.S. telecommunications firms, including AT&T and Verizon, leading officials to recommend the use of encrypted messaging applications for secure communications. Chinese hackers reportedly infiltrated these companies to surveil customers, particularly focusing on call records and live phone calls, including those related to political figures. The FBI has not provided a timeline for when telecommunications systems will be free of unauthorized access and has decided not to notify individuals whose metadata was compromised. The breach has raised concerns about the security of compliance systems used by telecom companies. End-to-end encrypted applications like Signal and WhatsApp are advocated for, while the FBI's stance on encryption remains complex, having historically opposed full encryption that prevents law enforcement access. Senator Ron Wyden criticized the reliance on compliance systems, arguing they leave sensitive information vulnerable to breaches.