"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."
....
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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