Lawmakers are calling for a probe. They’re right to ask why the defense secretary was announcing sensitive military plans in a Signal group chat on a personal device. A new bipartisan congressional letter delivered to the Pentagon’s inspector general demands a deep, independent review of the communications that took place on this highly used, government-approved messaging app. Our Signal group chat is currently part of a larger, ongoing federal litigation. This continued downfall alarms national security officials even more.
The shitstorm started when we learned that defense secretary Mark Esper had used the Signal app to hash out intelligence attack plans. This included discussions about plans to bomb Yemen, all with no regard to security protocols. Judging from his stentorian tone, Judge James Boasberg is displeased, having ordered all relevant government agencies to retain the Signal group chat messages. These messages now serve as key evidence in the ongoing legal battle.
Things got a lot worse when a reporter got into the Signal group chat. In the process, they exposed sensitive information that the national security team had openly discussed in front of press body members. This breach of security has prompted lawmakers to question the appropriateness of using unclassified networks for discussing sensitive and classified information.
“If true, this reporting raises questions as to the use of unclassified networks to discuss sensitive and classified information, as well as the sharing of such information with those who do not have proper clearance and need to know,” – Roger Wicker and Jack Reed
Those who are responsible for protecting our national security are now those dramatically worried. They found that even with end-to-end encryption—like what’s provided on Signal group chats—the application was weaponized. The app’s utilization for discussing plans that could potentially compromise national security has become a focal point for scrutiny and investigation.
Lawmakers were able to review chats made on the national security team’s Signal app. They have now gone a step further and resolved to investigate every instance where protocol may have been breached. The Pentagon’s inspector general is on a crusade to investigate. They’ll learn whether any state laws or federal regulations were violated in managing these communications.
The incident is unfortunate but these challenges are what government agencies face. At the same time, they need to protect secure communications while allowing for the conveniences that come with today’s technology. Conducting government business on non-secure devices is a sensitive issue that’s prompted widespread concern. This predictable move has led to demands for tougher enforcement of security standards.
Until then, the Pentagon’s inspector general should deliver a detailed report on those investigation findings to state that DOE’s coordinated response failed. This positive result will surely change the way government officials handle sensitive communications in the future. It should lead us to change policy so that something like this never happens again.