Messaging app Signal refutes Pentagon's ‘vulnerability’ claim, calls out misinformation
Reuters
Synopsis
Signal denied vulnerabilities after a Pentagon advisory claimed Russian hackers exploited its 'linked devices' feature to spy on encrypted conversations. The advisory followed a leak of US military plans on Signal, leading to criticism of the Trump administration for using the app for sensitive discussions.
By ETtech
Messaging platform Signal, which has been in the news for the leak of sensitive plans for a US military strike against Yemen's Houthis, said it has no vulnerabilities, as claimed by a Pentagon advisory.
Days after this incident, the Pentagon shared an advisory against using the app even for unclassified information. "A vulnerability has been identified in the Signal Messenger Application. Russian professional hacking groups are employing the 'linked devices' features to spy on encrypted conversations," the memo read, as per reports.
Signal took to X to respond to the allegations. "The memo used the term ‘vulnerability’ in relation to Signal—but it had nothing to do with Signal’s core tech. It was warning against phishing scams targeting Signal users," it said in a post. "Phishing isn’t new, and it’s not a flaw in our encryption or any of Signal’s underlying technology. Phishing attacks are a constant threat for popular apps and websites," the post added.
Trump administration under fire
Waltz said on Tuesday he was not sure how Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, ended up on the chat. "We made a mistake. We're moving forward," said Waltz, adding that he took "full responsibility" for the episode.
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Top US national security officials last week accidentally included a reporter in a Signal chat about bombing Houthi sites in Yemen, putting the Donald Trump administration under the scanner. The president has downplayed the issue, calling it the "only glitch in two months".Days after this incident, the Pentagon shared an advisory against using the app even for unclassified information. "A vulnerability has been identified in the Signal Messenger Application. Russian professional hacking groups are employing the 'linked devices' features to spy on encrypted conversations," the memo read, as per reports.
Signal took to X to respond to the allegations. "The memo used the term ‘vulnerability’ in relation to Signal—but it had nothing to do with Signal’s core tech. It was warning against phishing scams targeting Signal users," it said in a post. "Phishing isn’t new, and it’s not a flaw in our encryption or any of Signal’s underlying technology. Phishing attacks are a constant threat for popular apps and websites," the post added.
Trump administration under fire
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The use of Signal to discuss a sensitive operation has opened the administration to blistering criticism from Democratic lawmakers, who expressed outrage at the White House's and senior administration officials' insistence that no classified information was shared. Senior administration officials have struggled to explain why the publicly available app was used to discuss such a delicate matter.Waltz said on Tuesday he was not sure how Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, ended up on the chat. "We made a mistake. We're moving forward," said Waltz, adding that he took "full responsibility" for the episode.
