Digital Event Horizon
The use of TeleMessage, a messaging service used by former National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, has been temporarily shut down following a report that it was hacked. The incident highlights the risks associated with third-party messaging apps and raises questions about national security threats and data breaches.
A messaging service used by former National Security Advisor Mike Waltz was hacked, forcing it to shut down temporarily.The TeleMessage app was infiltrated by an anonymous individual in just 15-20 minutes, exploiting a weakness in end-to-end encryption.The incident highlights the risks of using third-party messaging apps with added archiving features and underscores the importance of robust security measures.Government agencies are likely to revisit existing regulations and standards governing messaging app use, including provider vetting and encryption protocols.
A recent security incident has brought to light the vulnerabilities of a messaging service used by former National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, forcing him to temporarily shut down operations. The TeleMessage app, which is used by various government officials and agencies, was reportedly hacked by an anonymous individual who gained access to sensitive data, including messages from Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Coinbase, and other financial institutions.
According to a report by 404 Media, the hacker infiltrated the system in just 15-20 minutes, exploiting a weakness in the end-to-end encryption between TeleMessage's modified version of Signal and its ultimate archive destination. This lack of security has serious implications for national security and the integrity of sensitive government communications.
The incident highlights the risks associated with using third-party messaging apps that offer additional archiving features, such as TeleMessage. While these services may provide a convenient way to store and manage messages, they also create opportunities for unauthorized access and data breaches.
TeleMessage, an Israeli company based in Portland, Oregon, was acquired by Smarsh in February 2024. The company has since shut down all TeleMessage services pending further investigation into the security incident. In a statement, Smarsh acknowledged that it had taken swift action to contain the breach and engage external cybersecurity experts to support their investigation.
This incident serves as a wake-up call for government agencies and officials who rely on these messaging services. It underscores the importance of robust security measures and careful vetting of third-party providers to ensure the integrity of sensitive information.
The hacking incident also raises questions about the security of other government-approved messaging apps, such as those developed by Signal itself. While Signal is widely regarded for its end-to-end encryption capabilities, this incident highlights the potential risks associated with relying on modified or cloned versions of these services.
In response to growing concerns over data breaches and national security threats, lawmakers are likely to revisit existing regulations and standards governing the use of messaging apps by government agencies. This may involve stricter requirements for provider vetting, encryption protocols, and incident response procedures.
As this story continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the TeleMessage hack has exposed a critical vulnerability in national security that must be addressed through swift action and robust reforms.
Related Information:
https://www.digitaleventhorizon.com/articles/The-Great-TeleMessage-Hack-A-Threat-to-National-Security-and-End-to-End-Encryption-deh.shtml
https://arstechnica.com/security/2025/05/signal-clone-used-by-trump-official-stops-operations-after-report-it-was-hacked/
https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2025/05/signal-clone-used-by-trump-official-stops-operations-after-report-it-was-hacked/
https://www.wired.com/story/signal-clone-used-by-mike-waltz-pauses-service-after-reports-it-got-hacked/
Published: Mon May 5 20:32:30 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
