“Unless you are using #GPG, email is not end-to-end encrypted, & the contents of a message can be intercepted & read at many points, including on Google’s email servers,” said Eva Galperin, director of #cybersecurity at the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

#NationalSecurity experts have expressed alarm over the #Trump admin’s denial that the leaked #Signal chat contained #classified information.

Data #security experts have expressed alarm that US #NationalSecurity professionals are not…[just]…using the govt’s suite of secure encrypted systems for work communications such as JWICS, the Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System.

Most concerning, however, is the use of personal email, which is widely acknowledged to be susceptible to hacking, spearfishing & other types of digital compromise.

The use of personal email, even for unclassified materials, is risky given the premium value foreign #intelligence services place on the communications & schedules of senior govt ofcls, such as the #NationalSecurity adviser, experts say.

…Waltz has also created & hosted other #Signal chats w/Cabinet members on sensitive topics, including on #Somalia & #Russia’s war in #Ukraine, said a senior #Trump admin official.

#MikeWaltz has had less sensitive, but potentially exploitable information sent to his #Gmail, such as his schedule & other work documents, said ofcls, who, like others, spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe what they viewed as problematic handling of information. The ofcls said Waltz would sometimes copy & paste from his schedule into #Signal to coordinate meetings & discussions.

A snr #MikeWaltz aide used the commercial email service for highly technical conversations w/colleagues at other govt agencies involving sensitive #military positions & powerful #weapons systems relating to an ongoing conflict, acc/to emails reviewed by WaPo. While the #NSC official used his #Gmail account, his interagency colleagues used govt-issued accounts, headers from the email correspondence show.

The use of #Gmail, a FAR LESS secure method of communication than the encrypted messaging app #Signal [which isn’t secure enough for these kinds of comms either], is the latest example of questionable #security practices by top #NationalSecurity ofcls already under fire for the mistaken inclusion of a journalist in a group chat about high-level planning for #military ops in Yemen.

Members of #Trump’s #NationalSecurity Council #NSC, including WH #NationalSecurity adviser #MikeWaltz, have conducted govt business over personal #Gmail accounts, acc/to documents reviewed by WaPo & interviews with three #US officials.

@carnage4life I can see how iPads could tie all this in for Apple

#idiocracy

“It’s so beyond what I would expect from anyone in the #military,” said Commander Kuldau, who also flew combat missions in the Middle East. “The idea that the secretary of #defense, who should know better, has done this, is just mind-boggling.”

#Hegseth added:

“1345: ‘Trigger Based’ F-18 1st Strike window Starts (Target Terrorist is @ his Known Location so SHOULD BE ON TIME).”

This text was two hours in advance of the strikes.

“1410: More F-18s LAUNCH (2nd strike package).”

And then, “1536: F-18 2nd Strike Starts — also first sea-based Tomahawks launched.”

That text gave almost three hours’ notice.

He & other pilots said that each day since Mon, when #TheAtlantic published an article about the chat disclosures, had brought a stunning new revelation. First came the news that #Hegseth had put the operational sequencing, or flight schedules, for the F/A-18 Hornets targeting the #Houthi militia in #Yemen on March 15 in the unclassified #Signal group chat, which included several other snr #Trump ofcls.

The #intelligence breach was bad enough, current & former #FighterPilots said. But #Defense Secy #PeteHegseth’s refusal to acknowledge that he should not have disclosed sensitive info about when American fighter pilots would attack sites in #Yemen, they said, was even worse.

On #AirBases, in #AircraftCarrier “ready rooms” & in communities near #military bases this week, there was consternation.

American Oversight v. #Hegseth (#Houthi #Signal Group Chat)

Minute Entry for proceedings held before Chief Judge James E. #Boasberg: Motion Hearing held on 3/27/2025 re 6 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order filed by AMERICAN OVERSIGHT. Oral arguments heard. Order forthcoming. (Court Reporter Tammy Nestor) (znbn)

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69788832/american-oversight-v-hegseth/