Security Breach in Messaging App Used by Former National Security Advisor
TeleMessage, used by Mike Waltz, has suspended operations amid a hack exposing sensitive communications.
The hack shows that the archived chat logs are not end-to-end encrypted between the modified version of the messaging app and the ultimate archive destination controlled by the TeleMessage customer.
Signal clone used by Trump official stops operations after report it was hacked
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TeleMessage makes apparently unauthorized versions of popular communications apps that include archiving features for institutional compliance.
Signal Clone Used by Mike Waltz Pauses Service After Reports It Got Hacked
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Concerns over the security of Waltz’s communications were further heightened, when it was reported on Sunday that a hacker had broken into TeleMessage’s back-end infrastructure and intercepted some of its users’ messages.
TeleMessage app used by Mike Waltz suspends service over suspected hack
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The hack revealed that the archived chat logs are not end-to-end encrypted between the modded version of Signal that TeleMessage offers and the ultimate location where it stores the messages.
TeleMessage, a modified Signal clone used by US government officials, has been hacked
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The use of encrypted messaging apps in the U.S. government has grown significantly in recent years, but it poses a problem for officials subject to laws that require them to save their correspondence — creating a tension between the need for secrecy and archiving.
Messaging app seen in use by Mike Waltz suspends services after hackers claim breach
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Summary
TeleMessage has temporarily ceased operations after hackers exploited vulnerabilities in its archived messaging services used by U.S. government officials. The breach revealed unencrypted user data, sparking concerns over national security due to potential exposure of sensitive communications. The hacker claims to have downloaded a significant amount of data, although it appears that messages from Waltz and cabinet members were not compromised. TeleMessage, owned by Smarsh, is now investigating the incident in partnership with cybersecurity experts, while the service remains suspended for precautionary reasons.
Perspectives
TeleMessage, a messaging app used by former National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, has suspended its services following a reported hack that exposed sensitive communications data.
The hack raises significant concerns regarding the security protocols of modified messaging apps like TeleMessage that purport to offer end-to-end encryption while also enabling archiving, jeopardizing user privacy.
The incident underscores the tension in government communications between the necessity of archiving for compliance and the need for secure, private channels, particularly in sensitive areas like national security.