Pentagon Scrambles After Signal Leak Exposes Military Intel

The U.S. Department of Defense is urging personnel to avoid using Signal for any nonpublic communications, citing Russian hacking threats. The March 18 memo, obtained by NPR, warns that cybercriminals are exploiting the app’s “linked devices” feature to eavesdrop on encrypted conversations. This advisory comes just days after a stunning blunder in which top national security officials mistakenly included a journalist in a Signal chat about bombing Houthi targets in Yemen.

Despite Signal’s response, stating that phishing—not a flaw in its encryption—is the real risk, the memo highlights the dangers of unsecured messaging in high-level military discussions. Security experts, including former Trump adviser John Bolton, have slammed officials for using an app unsuitable for classified intel, calling the situation a shocking lapse in basic security protocols.

Sources.