‘Maybe don’t use Signal, okay?’ TeleMessage App Hacked, Trump Admin scrambles to change National Security Communications Plan

A major security breach involving TeleMessage, a modified version of the encrypted messaging app Signal used by former National Security Advisor Mike Waltz during the Trump administration, has caused alarm in the White House and raised serious concerns about national security communication practices. The incident forced TeleMessage to temporarily shut down all its services and prompted a quick review of the administration’s dependence on altered encrypted messaging apps.

The hack, which was detected on Sunday, gave attackers unauthorized access to TeleMessage’s internal systems, allowing them to intercept user messages. While Reuters stated that the hacker did not access Waltz’s messages or those of the people he communicated with, the breach did expose messages sent through TeleMessage’s versions of Signal, WhatsApp, Telegram, and WeChat.

Smarsh, the Oregon-based company that runs TeleMessage, confirmed the breach, saying they were looking into a “potential security incident” and had suspended all services “out of an abundance of caution.” They brought in an outside cybersecurity firm to help with the investigation. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also responded quickly, with U.S. Customs and Border Protection immediately disabling TeleMessage on their devices as a safety measure.

Trump adviser’s app temporarily halts services following reported hack

The timing of the hack is especially concerning. A photo from a Wednesday cabinet meeting showed Waltz actively using TeleMessage on his phone. The very next day, Waltz was removed from his role as National Security Advisor, a decision that came after weeks of controversy over his use of a Signal group chat to share live updates about U.S. military actions in Yemen.

This “Signalgate” scandal became widely known when Waltz, or someone with access to his account, accidentally added a well-known U.S. journalist to the private group. After the TeleMessage hack, President Trump repeated his earlier warnings about Signal’s use within the administration, saying, “Maybe don’t use Signal, okay?”

The TeleMessage breach highlights bigger worries about the safety of modified encrypted messaging apps used by government officials, according to CNBC. TeleMessage advertises itself as a way for government agencies and businesses to follow federal record-keeping laws by saving backup copies of chats. A Signal spokesperson made it clear that they could not promise the privacy or security of unofficial versions of their app.

The breach has major consequences for the Trump administration’s communication plans. Waltz’s nomination as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, announced the day after he was fired, further shows the difficult balance between keeping communications secure and following official rules. Acting Secretary of State Marco Rubio took over as interim National Security Advisor.

The administration now must figure out how to establish new secure communication methods, possibly reconsidering its reliance on modified encrypted messaging apps and looking for other solutions that better balance security, legal compliance, and ease of use.