A Pentagon-wide email recently went out warning about Signal's vulnerability

NWRatCon said:

https://www.npr.org/2025/03/25/nx-s1-5339801/pentagon-email-signal-vulnerability

"A Pentagon-wide advisory went out one week ago warning against using the messaging app Signal, even for unclassified information.

"A vulnerability has been identified in the Signal messenger application," begins the department-wide email, dated March 18, obtained by NPR.

The memo continues, "Russian professional hacking groups are employing the 'linked devices' features to spy on encrypted conversations." It notes that Google has identified Russian hacking groups who are "targeting Signal Messenger to spy on persons of interest."
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It was revealed, moreover, in today's hearing, that one of the participants in the still-developing scandal, was IN MOSCOW during the discussion and using signal in an unapproved manner.
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"The Pentagon memo adds, "Please note: third-party messaging apps (e.g. Signal) are permitted by policy for unclassified accountability/recall exercises but are not approved to process or store non-public unclassified information."
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In the military, sending classified data over insecure channels is called "slippage" when it's considered minor, but even that can be a career ender for a military officer.

At least as far back as 2023, a DoD memo, also seen by NPR, prohibited use of mobile applications for even "controlled unclassified information," which is many degrees less important than information about on-going military operations.

There's almost no precedent for the heads of Defense, State, Intelligence and National Security to be sharing such sensitive military intelligence in a forum that was known to be unsecured."
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Even though Hegseth never rose above the rank of Major, and didn't complete his military training, even JUNIOR personnel are briefed every year on OPSEC (Operational Security) issues. This would be a career-ender for even a junior officer, and at that level should be an instantly fireable offense.

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Callen said:

It just shows how far over their head these folk are.

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Several of the folks involved in the leaked thread have also leaned heavily into additional criticism of (invariably) Democrats, and the blue team's allegedly lax handling of information. To take one example, Waltz has excoriated his predecessor as NSA, Jake Sullivan, for being careless with classified information. Last we checked, Sullivan never leaked plans for an imminent military strike to some random magazine editor.

Still, everyone knows that when a Trumper does something, no matter how bad, it's either not wrong or not their fault. The rush to excuse this breach was so rapid that a passing beam of light said "Damn! That's fast!" A rundown of some of the more prominent apologists, along with their angles:

Donald Trump, reminding everyone of what he really cares about (Hint: not national security) said: "I don't know anything about it. I'm not a big fan of The Atlantic. It's to me, it's a magazine that's going out of business. I think it's not much of a magazine."

Pete Hegseth declared that the whole thing is a hoax, and that Goldberg made it all up. This despite the fact that Goldberg had all sorts of details that were spot-on correct, and that others in the group text had already admitted that Goldberg's reporting was correct.

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), in his role as the Trump administration's lead congressional lapdog, said that he doesn't think anyone involved should be disciplined, because they're going to make real sure it never happens again. We dunno Mike, did you make certain they crossed their hearts, hope to die?

Josh Hawley, in his role as one of the Trump administration's congressional sub-lapdogs, expressed shock that people are upset "about who's on a text message."

Will Cain, the talk show host who is fluent in Newspeak, praised the administration for its transparency and its collaborative decision-making.

Laura Ingraham and Sean Hannity, both of whom are employed by the state-run media operation, slammed Goldberg for reporting on the story. We believe that is known as "shooting the messenger."

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NWRatCon said:

It was revealed, moreover, in today's hearing, that one of the participants in the still-developing scandal, was IN MOSCOW during the discussion and using signal in an unapproved manner.

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Callen said:

It just shows how far over their head these folk are. The worst thing an organization can do is get rid of " institutional memory ". However, that's what Trump is doing 'cause he is smarter than anyone.


"Institutional memory encompasses the collective knowledge, experiences, and "know-how" within an organization, including policies, procedures, successes, and failures, and is crucial for organizational learning and continuity. "

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dmpi said:

It works both way. The status quo prevents change even when it's necessary and proper.

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Visbek said:

In any other administration, all of those people would be immediately fired and getting visits from the FBI. It is utterly repulsive (and entirely predictable) that this administration refused to hold any of Trump's sycophants accountable for their rank incompetence.

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Jetboogieman said:

Democrats should encourage foreign powers to hack the Group chats and release them.

Trumpists are constantly saying Democrats need to change in order to win elections, didn’t hurt Trump, can’t hurt Dems right?

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NWRatCon said:

https://www.npr.org/2025/03/25/nx-s1-5339801/pentagon-email-signal-vulnerability

"A Pentagon-wide advisory went out one week ago warning against using the messaging app Signal, even for unclassified information.

"A vulnerability has been identified in the Signal messenger application," begins the department-wide email, dated March 18, obtained by NPR.

The memo continues, "Russian professional hacking groups are employing the 'linked devices' features to spy on encrypted conversations." It notes that Google has identified Russian hacking groups who are "targeting Signal Messenger to spy on persons of interest."
______
It was revealed, moreover, in today's hearing, that one of the participants in the still-developing scandal, was IN MOSCOW during the discussion and using signal in an unapproved manner.
______

"The Pentagon memo adds, "Please note: third-party messaging apps (e.g. Signal) are permitted by policy for unclassified accountability/recall exercises but are not approved to process or store non-public unclassified information."
....
In the military, sending classified data over insecure channels is called "slippage" when it's considered minor, but even that can be a career ender for a military officer.

At least as far back as 2023, a DoD memo, also seen by NPR, prohibited use of mobile applications for even "controlled unclassified information," which is many degrees less important than information about on-going military operations.

There's almost no precedent for the heads of Defense, State, Intelligence and National Security to be sharing such sensitive military intelligence in a forum that was known to be unsecured."
______

Even though Hegseth never rose above the rank of Major, and didn't complete his military training, even JUNIOR personnel are briefed every year on OPSEC (Operational Security) issues. This would be a career-ender for even a junior officer, and at that level should be an instantly fireable offense.

Click to expand...

Callen said:

The Administration says it wasn't a war plan and it wasn't classified so I guess that means the Atlantic can publish it.

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Callen said:

It just shows how far over their head these folk are. The worst thing an organization can do is get rid of " institutional memory ". However, that's what Trump is doing 'cause he is smarter than anyone.


"Institutional memory encompasses the collective knowledge, experiences, and "know-how" within an organization, including policies, procedures, successes, and failures, and is crucial for organizational learning and continuity. "

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upsideguy said:

That is priceless .... a week before Team Trump fires up the app to discuss an impending military action.

We all knew the Hegseth was woefully unqualified to head the DoD .... who would have thought it would take just 60 days before his incompetence would be on full display. He should do the honorable thing and resign. Then again, there is no honor among thieves, the Trump administration (excuse my redundancy there) or Trump supporters so I won't hold my breath.


Yet, it was indeed the war plan. Jeffrey Goldberg said he thought he was getting disinformation until what he read on the chat turned out to be the actual war plan...

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Use of Unclassified Mobile Applications in Department of Defense​

Visbek said:

I'm not religious, but... Jumping F***ing Jehoshaphat.

In any other administration, all of those people would be immediately fired and getting visits from the FBI. It is utterly repulsive (and entirely predictable) that this administration refused to hold any of Trump's sycophants accountable for their rank incompetence.

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stealthycat said:

at least someone is being funny about the hysteria ...

View attachment 67562212

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Lovebug said:

Anyone else, anywhere, except for this administration clown show, would have been fired on the spot.

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