Hegseth had an unsecured internet line set up in his office to connect to Signal
a year ago
- #Signal
- #Security
- #Pentagon
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had an unsecured internet line in his office to use the Signal messaging app, bypassing Pentagon security protocols.
- The 'dirty' internet line lacks security filters, potentially exposing sensitive defense information to hacking or surveillance.
- Hegseth used Signal to share sensitive details about a military airstrike in chats, including one with President Trump's top national security officials.
- The Pentagon has secure communication networks (NIPRNet, SIPRNet, JWICS) for classified information, but Hegseth's setup included personal and classified computers.
- Signal, though encrypted, is not authorized for sensitive or classified information and can be hacked, raising security concerns.
- Hegseth's Signal use is under investigation by the Defense Department's acting inspector general following bipartisan Senate Armed Services Committee concerns.
- Trump and administration officials have expressed full support for Hegseth, dismissing leaks as 'fake news' and blaming disgruntled employees.