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A fresh security breach has once again exposed vulnerabilities within the highest levels of U.S. government communication, after a White House official was hacked. According to a report by 404 Media, the breach involved an unofficial app resembling Signal, raising major alarms about the use of unverified platforms for sensitive conversations.
Former National Security Adviser Mike Waltz was identified using an app called TeleMessage, which mirrors Signal’s features, during a cabinet meeting, as captured in a Reuters photograph. TeleMessage, unlike the official Signal app, reportedly has weaker security protections, making it an attractive target for hackers. This incident, where another White House official was hacked, highlights the growing risks associated with non-official communication tools in government settings.
Waltz was removed from his position on Thursday following a separate controversy involving a Signal group he created to circulate real-time military updates about U.S. actions in Yemen. Compounding concerns, someone accidentally added a high-profile journalist to the chat, raising questions about secure information handling.
Concerns Over Using Unofficial Messaging Apps for Govt Communication
404 Media reported that a hacker, who remained anonymous, successfully infiltrated TeleMessage’s backend infrastructure, gaining access to user communications. Although the hacker did not retrieve messages from Waltz or other Trump cabinet members, they shared intercepted material that 404 Media partially verified.
Neither Waltz, the White House, TeleMessage, nor its parent company, Smarsh, responded to requests for comment. Reuters was also unable to independently verify the hacking claims.
Signal, known for its robust end-to-end encryption, stated that it cannot guarantee the privacy or security of unofficial versions of its app. TeleMessage, now being rebranded as Capture Mobile by Smarsh, was initially designed to capture and archive decrypted messages for compliance purposes. However, experts warn that such additional layers, if poorly managed, can introduce serious vulnerabilities—yet another concern as another White House official is hacked.
