Cybersecurity Concerns Emerge After Hacking of TeleMessage Used by Trump's Officials

An alarming cybersecurity incident involving the encrypted messaging app TeleMessage has surfaced, which was notably used by former President Donald Trump's national security advisor, Mike Waltz, during a recent Cabinet meeting. Reports confirm that this Israel-founded app, a modified version of Signal, has temporarily ceased operations after being reportedly hacked. The breach, as detailed by 404 Media, did not result in the theft of messages exchanged by Waltz and his contacts. However, the incident raises critical concerns about the app’s security features, especially as it has been adopted by top government officials. Smarsh, the company that facilitates TeleMessage, acknowledged the security lapse, indicating they are cooperating with an external cybersecurity firm to investigate the matter. According to their statement, all TeleMessage services have been suspended out of an abundance of caution. In an alarming statement from Thomas Richards of Black Duck, the breach exposed a fundamental flaw in the app's security model, given that altering core functionality, such as backing up messages, compromises encryption integrity. Adding layers to this cybersecurity debacle is Trump's previously documented stance on secure messaging applications, particularly following the 'Signalgate' incident where Waltz revealed sensitive discussions to a journalist due to an operational error on Signal. Ironically, Trump had implied that the administration should rethink its use of Signal to avoid similar communication breaches. This incident raises significant questions about the efficacy and safety of using modified applications for secure government communications, especially when such apps claim to provide compliance with federal records-retention laws. With an increasing reliance on digital communications amid rising cybersecurity threats, it is paramount that officials utilize genuinely secure technology. Following this incident, the White House did not immediately respond to inquiries regarding the temporary suspension of TeleMessage services, marking a potential gap in transparency regarding secure communication policies in the government. As Trump has recently nominated Waltz to the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, the implications of this security breach could follow him into his new role, raising additional scrutiny over government communication protocols.