security breach

AppWizard
May 8, 2025
The messaging app TeleMessage, used by President Donald Trump’s national security advisor, has been suspended due to a reported security breach, raising concerns about the security of sensitive government communications. The app, a modified version of Signal, was halted after a hacker accessed message contents from its customized versions, although the communications of national security advisor Mike Waltz were reportedly not affected. TeleMessage's suspension follows a statement from its parent company, Smarsh, confirming an investigation into the security incident. Despite President Trump's criticism of Signal, the White House continues to defend it, highlighting its pre-installation on government devices. Concerns about privacy protections arise from TeleMessage's archiving features, which may compromise Signal's end-to-end encryption. Additionally, GlobalX, the airline involved in Trump’s deportation flights, experienced a hacking incident, resulting in the exposure of flight records and passenger lists.
AppWizard
May 7, 2025
Former National Security Adviser Mike Waltz has come under scrutiny for using TeleMessage, an app that has recently experienced a security breach resulting in the theft of sensitive data, including direct messages and group chats. High-ranking officials from the Trump administration, including Waltz, Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, were reported to have used the app. A photograph captured Waltz during a Cabinet meeting appearing to use TeleMessage to access Signal messages, raising concerns due to his previous controversy involving a chat room on Signal that included a journalist. The security vulnerabilities of TeleMessage have been criticized, particularly as it lacks the robust encryption features of Signal. The app was initially marketed as a solution for preserving messages for government record-keeping, but its reliability has been questioned.
AppWizard
May 6, 2025
TeleMessage is investigating a potential security breach, suspecting that hackers may have exploited its technology. The company has temporarily suspended its app services as a precautionary measure. TeleMessage, a product of Smarsh Inc. based in Portland, Oregon, archives messages from encrypted applications like Signal, WhatsApp, and Telegram.
AppWizard
May 6, 2025
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
May 6, 2025
TeleMessage has temporarily suspended all services due to a reported security breach, with the parent company Smarsh investigating the incident. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has discontinued using the app as a precaution. A hacker claimed to have accessed a centralized TeleMessage server and downloaded data, including a screenshot of the contact list for employees at Coinbase, which confirmed the authenticity of the screenshot but stated that customer data remained secure. Multiple U.S. government agencies have contracts with TeleMessage or related entities. Another hacker also claimed to have breached TeleMessage, providing evidence of their claims. The investigation into the breach is ongoing, and it is unclear if sensitive communications from U.S. officials were compromised.
AppWizard
May 5, 2025
National Security Advisor Michael Waltz was preparing for a television interview at the White House using the messaging app TeleMessage, which is currently facing a temporary suspension due to a security breach. The parent company, Smarsh, is investigating the incident and has halted all TeleMessage services while engaging an external cybersecurity firm. The breach reportedly involves the theft of data from messages sent via TeleMessage's versions of popular messaging platforms, but there is no indication that Waltz's messages were accessed. The White House has not responded to inquiries about the service suspension. Waltz was previously photographed using TeleMessage while communicating with various officials. Former President Donald Trump intends to nominate Waltz as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio serving as the interim national security advisor. Concerns have been raised about whether private messages are automatically deleted, potentially violating federal records-retention laws, and TeleMessage may compromise Signal's end-to-end encryption.
AppWizard
April 12, 2025
Mike Waltz, national security adviser under President Trump, accidentally included Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, in a confidential military chat on Signal that involved senior officials discussing imminent U.S. military strikes on Yemen. This incident raised concerns about the administration's secure communication practices, particularly as it involved sensitive military strategies. Despite Signal's encryption, critics argue that public group chats should not be used for classified discussions, highlighting vulnerabilities in communication protocols. Secure rooms are designed for classified discussions with strict protocols, which were not followed in this case.
AppWizard
April 6, 2025
Maher became the non-executive chair at Web Summit after leaving her CEO position last year to lead NPR. She also chairs the Signal Foundation, known for its encrypted messaging service, which was used by Trump administration members during military planning in Yemen, leading to criticism from Trump supporters due to her previous comments about Trump and her advocacy for restricting free speech. Meanwhile, Gordon Hardie, CEO of O-I Glass, received a total compensation package of €1.46 million last year, which included a base salary of €682,322, stock awards, and additional benefits. The University of Limerick recently ceased posting on X due to declining engagement and concerns over content, though it remains open to reconsidering its stance. Peter Vandermeersch, CEO of Mediahuis Ireland, is writing a book titled “Ierland. Guinness, God en Google,” which will explore various aspects of Irish life and culture.
AppWizard
March 27, 2025
A Florida politician, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, was involved in a national security breach after inadvertently including a journalist in a group chat on the Signal messaging app. The chat contained sensitive discussions about U.S. airstrikes against Iranian-backed militants in Yemen, specifically targeting Houthi sites, with critical details shared by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth just hours before the strikes on March 15. President Trump claimed no classified information was shared despite the seriousness of the situation. The National Security Council is investigating the breach, and Waltz has taken responsibility for the error. The incident raises questions about the use of Signal, an app designed for secure communications, for sensitive government discussions and potential violations of the Presidential Records Act.
AppWizard
March 26, 2025
Signal has recently garnered attention due to reports that senior officials from the Trump administration used the platform for sensitive war planning discussions, inadvertently including a journalist in the messaging group. This incident has raised questions about the appropriateness of using Signal for classified discussions, particularly since federal employees are usually prohibited from installing such applications on government-issued devices. Signal, launched in 2014, is an encrypted messaging application that facilitates secure communication through end-to-end encryption, ensuring messages remain private and unreadable until they reach the intended recipient. It also offers a feature for messages to disappear after a set period. Signal is operated by the Signal Foundation, an independent nonprofit organization funded by donations and grants, which allows it to prioritize privacy and security without commercial influences.
Search