Top Officials Mishandle War Plans on Signal: A Call for Investigation

Top Trump administration officials inadvertently shared classified war plans on Signal with a journalist, sparking a potential investigation. Signal, founded by Moxie Marlinspike and Brian Acton, is praised for privacy features, but concerns arise over its use for national security discussions. Lawmakers call for a congressional probe.

In a significant breach of security protocols, high-ranking officials from the Trump administration accidentally shared classified war plans using the encrypted messaging app Signal, inadvertently including a journalist in the conversation. This mishap has sparked calls from Democratic lawmakers for a comprehensive congressional investigation into the security lapse.

Signal, known for its robust encryption and privacy features, does not store user communication data on its servers, raising concerns over its suitability for national security discussions. Though widely trusted in the security community, experts point out vulnerabilities if the device itself is compromised. The app was founded in 2012 by Moxie Marlinspike, with significant input and funding from WhatsApp co-founder Brian Acton.

Signal's community includes activists and political dissidents, and it experienced rapid growth in 2021. However, questions linger regarding its efficacy in protecting sensitive governmental communications, underscoring the need for strict adherence to secure communication channels.

(With inputs from agencies.)