The year 2025 marks a turning point in the national security debate in the United States, as Donald Trump’s use of the encrypted messaging app Signal raises serious concerns. The former president, known for his controversial approach to communications, chose this platform to exchange sensitive messages, raising questions about the protection of confidential information and transparency.
Cybersecurity experts and government officials are questioning the potential implications of this practice, particularly with regard to data security and communications surveillance. This article explores the issues and reactions to this worrying situation.
Security risks associated with the use of Signal by officials
The use of the encrypted messaging application Signal by government officials for sensitive communications is raising serious concerns among cybersecurity experts. Although Signal offers robust encryption, it is not designed to handle classified data, making it vulnerable to attack. One of the main risks lies in the possibility of linking the application to unsecured desktops, thus exposing messages to malware.
In addition, the use of personal devices by officials, often less protected, increases the risk of espionage by foreign intelligence services. This situation highlights the urgent need for a secure, accredited communications platform for government exchanges.
Revealing incidents and political reactions
The incident involving journalist Jeffrey Goldberg, mistakenly added to a Signal group discussing military strikes, set off a political firestorm. Lawmakers including Bennie Thompson and Gregory Meeks strongly criticized the Trump administration for this national security breach. They stressed the importance of not using Signal for sensitive discussions and called for a thorough investigation.
Michael Waltz, Trump’s national security advisor, acknowledged his responsibility for the group’s creation, calling the mistake an embarrassment. Despite Trump’s attempts to play it down, describing the incident as minor, experts and politicians insist on the need for secure solutions to protect government communications.
Consequences of not having a secure platform
The absence of a classified communications platform for government operations exposes states to considerable risks. Without a secure system, sensitive information can be compromised, threatening national security. Experts point out that the use of non-accredited applications, such as Signal, could lead to leaks of critical information.
This jeopardizes the confidentiality of strategic discussions and could have major diplomatic repercussions. The intelligence committees plan to address these vulnerabilities in future hearings on national security, underlining the urgent need to develop a suitable technological solution to guarantee the protection of communications at the highest level of government.
