Pete Hegseth's Troubles with Signal Intensify Following Allegation of Contaminated Internet Connection
Did you realize that Pete Hegseth, the United States Secretary of Defense, is a member of Sleeper.com, a popular fantasy football betting site? Or that he considers the staff of some random dental office as "incredible"? We shouldn't be privy to that information, but we are, thanks to Hegseth's sloppy digital habits. The saga known as "Signalgate" has taken another twist, with reports suggesting that Hegseth had the Signal app installed on a Pentagon computer.
On Wednesday, the Washington Post reported that three unnamed sources confirmed Hegseth had Signal installed on a desktop computer. Hegseth, through his spokesman Sean Parnell, reportedly told the Post that Hegseth has never used and doesn't currently use Signal on his government computer. However, additional sources told Associated Press News that he sometimes used three office computers, including a personal one on which he installed the messaging app.
According to the Post, Hegseth sought Signal on his computer to bypass the Pentagon's poor cell service. He was also exploring the installation of a program to enable him to send regular text messages. It's worth noting that the Pentagon forbade personal devices like cellphones and laptops in classified spaces a few years ago due to security concerns.
Hegseth's preoccupation with Signal would be laughable if he weren't, you know, a high-ranking government official. But these revelations follow a string of mishaps, such as accidentally texting Yemen war plans to the head editor of the Atlantic in March. This blunder sparked an investigation from the Defense Department's inspector general's office. Earlier this week, the New York Times also reported that Hegseth shared sensitive war information with his family via Signal. (Hegseth and the White House have downplayed both leaks by stating none of the information was classified.)
To add fuel to the fire, the Times discovered that Hegseth's personal cell phone is easily traceable online. The phone can be traced to Airbnb, Microsoft Teams, and even an email address that is also linked to a Google Maps profile. "There's absolutely no chance that someone hasn't attempted to install Pegasus or some other spyware on his phone," Mike Casey, the former director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Services, told the Times.
Beyond security concerns, Signal's auto-deletion of messages after thirty days could potentially place Hegseth and other federal agencies that use the app in violation of the Federal Records Act. As Chioma Chukwu, interim Executive Director of American Oversight, noted, "It's becoming increasingly clear that the administration's unlawful use of Signal to conduct and delete sensitive government business is intentional, rather than a mere oversight...This case highlights a significant threat to the preservation of government records."
Using encrypted messaging apps like Signal on government or Pentagon devices can expose potential security risks and legal implications. These risks may include data leakage, noncompliance with DoD security policies, compromising device security and monitoring, violating federal regulations, and compromising classified information handling protocols. Such behavior can also raise questions about accountability and oversight, potentially leading to investigations or affecting one's tenure. Although the referenced sources don't directly address this issue, these risks are standard practices and known government policies regarding secure communications on official devices.
- The future of technology, specifically encrypted messaging apps like Signal, has become a topic of discussion in light of the United States Secretary of Defense's use of such apps on government devices.
- Gizmodo, tech, and general news outlets have been reporting on Pete Hegseth's digital habits, revealing potential security risks and legal implications associated with the use of Signal on Pentagon devices.
- Politics and policy-and-legislation experts are now analyzing whether Hegseth's use of Signal may have violated the Federal Records Act due to its auto-deletion feature after thirty days.
- Casino-and-gambling enthusiasts might be interested to know that, apart from his digital mishaps, Hegseth is also a member of Sleeper.com, a popular fantasy football betting site.
- Crimes and justice might be concerned about the lack of security on Hegseth's personal cell phone, which is easily traceable online, opening the door for potential war-and-conflicts related information to be compromised.
- In the realm of casino-games, poker lovers would appreciate the irony of Hegseth's digital missteps, considering the careful strategy and privacy required in the game, much like the need for confidentiality in government officials' communications.
