military operation Archives

AppWizard

May 6, 2025

Mike Waltz’s Cabinet Messaging App Goes Dark After Massive Hack

TeleMessage, an encrypted messaging application, has temporarily suspended its services following a security breach. The platform was used by dismissed national security adviser Mike Waltz during a Cabinet meeting, and a leaked image of his inbox showed conversations with notable figures such as Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The breach, reported by 404 Media, did not access messages among Cabinet members but compromised data from Customs and Border Protection, cryptocurrency firm Coinbase, and various financial institutions. The hacker claimed the breach was easy, completing it within 15-20 minutes. Signal, the platform from which TeleMessage archives messages, stated it cannot guarantee the security of unofficial versions. TeleMessage was acquired by U.S. company Smarsh last year for archiving communications. Following controversies, including Waltz's accidental inclusion in a group chat discussing a military operation, he was removed from his position, and President Trump expressed skepticism about using Signal for government communications.

AppWizard

March 28, 2025

Was the Signal Chat Illegal?

Some Democrats are claiming that the unintentional inclusion of a journalist in a Trump administration group chat about a military operation in Yemen may be criminal, with legal experts suggesting it could breach the Espionage Act. The chat took place on Signal and involved high-ranking national security officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who reportedly shared details about imminent military strikes. The Department of Defense prohibits sharing non-public information through messaging apps, and the Pentagon later warned of vulnerabilities in Signal that could be exploited by Russian hackers. House Speaker Mike Johnson called the use of Signal a "mistake," while several Democrats, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Jim Himes, expressed outrage and called for accountability. Legal experts stated that the chat likely violated the Espionage Act due to potential gross negligence in handling sensitive information. Despite the serious implications, there is skepticism about any prosecution occurring against those involved. The use of Signal raises concerns regarding compliance with federal open-records laws, as messages can be automatically deleted.