Signalgate: Modified Signal App Used by Former National Security Advisor Was Hacked

Last Wednesday, former national security advisor Mike Waltz was photographed at a cabinet meeting using TeleMessage, a modified version of Signal, the encrypted messaging app that has been the source of much ire for the Trump administration. TeleMessage’s key modification to Signal (and other end-to-end encrypted messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and WeChat) is that it archives messages, putting it in compliance with data retention laws for federal employees. But just because it supports compliance, doesn’t mean it’s secure. After receiving a wave of media coverage last week, TeleMessage was hacked, 404 Media reported on Sunday. The hacker told 404 that he was able to breach and steal customer data “in 15 to 20 minutes,” including messages sent via the app’s Signal clone. The data includes message contents, the names and contact information of government officials, and TeleMessage usernames and password data. While Mike Waltz’s messages were reportedly not breached, US Customs a ... Read full article.