What Is Signal? The Encrypted App That Could Shake the White House | TDG Explainer

The Signal messaging app is in the middle of a major controversy after the White House confirmed that The Atlantic’s Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg was inadvertently added to a group in which U.S. officials were having a conversation about national security issues concerning Yemen. The incident has escalated serious concerns regarding the use of encrypted messaging apps for government communications.

What Happened?

On March 11, Jeffrey Goldberg received a Signal connection request from an account labeled “Michael Waltz.” Goldberg afterward wrote in The Atlantic, ascertaining that Waltz is the U.S. National Security Advisor. The group further had accounts named “JD Vance” (the U.S. Vice President) and “Pete Hegseth.”

This has come to light after the U.S. struck the Houthis in Yemen through airstrikes, with the decision coming in high-level meetings. Sending sensitive information using an insecure messaging platform has already caused bipartisan condemnation and calls for an investigation.

What is Signal?

Signal is an open-source, free messaging application that came out in 2012 and is most recognized for end-to-end encryption, which is secure communication. Signal has 70 million global users and has gained popularity with journalists, activists, and individuals concerned about their privacy.

The app doesn’t store or harvest user data, meaning no third party, not even the government, has access to private messages. Another distinguishing feature of Signal from other popular messaging platforms is that users have the option of setting the message to vanish after a given amount of time. This extra protection makes it an even more attractive option for secretive communication.

Is Using Signal Illegal?

In general, it is not illegal to use Signal. Government officials and journalists widely use it for personal communication. When used to communicate about classified government issues, however, the use of the app is against federal law.

As The Atlantic reports, officials overseeing a national security-related action via Signal might have violated the Espionage Act, which regulates dealing with “national defense” information. Experts affirm that Signal is not on the list of approved platforms for government communication, particularly for classified intelligence.

National Security Implications

National security officials interviewed by The Atlantic maintain that American officials should never talk about classified operations on Signal. The U.S. government has strict guidelines for dealing with sensitive information. Senior officials have to use a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) for meetings, which is fitted with secure government equipment. Personal devices, such as cell phones, are not allowed in these rooms.

The White House has confirmed that some messages in the Signal group were programmed to self-destruct after one to four weeks. Federal law, however, mandates that government officials save records. Jason R. Baron, a University of Maryland professor and former director of litigation at the National Archives and Records Administration, clarified that official government communication through Signal is banned unless messages are immediately forwarded to an official government account.

In addition, the Department of Defense limits electronic messaging with classified information to government-approved encrypted networks. Failure to adhere to these practices can have critical impacts on national security.

Political Responses and Public Indignation

The controversy has prompted bitter reactions from Democratic and Republican lawmakers. The Washington Post cited Democratic Rep. Bennie G. Thompson, who stated, “It should go without saying that Trump administration officials must not use Signal for discussing sensitive intelligence matters.”

Republican Rep. Michael Lawler voiced similar concerns, stating on X, “Classified information should not be transmitted over unsecured channels — and certainly not to those without security clearances, such as reporters. Period. Safeguards must be in place to prevent this from ever happening again.”

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who was under fire for using a private email server, took to social media to respond to the news, saying, “You have got to be kidding me.”

Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer has demanded a full investigation and threatened “very harsh consequences” for anyone found guilty of leaking sensitive information.

The Role of Signal and Encryption Apps

The use of encrypted messaging apps is not inherently bad. Many experts argue that the apps are needed to defend individual privacy. Matt Kelly, editor of Radical Compliance, says, “The basic issue is that individuals do have the right to use encrypted apps for private communications. But how could an organization possibly tell how an employee was using it?”

David Cuillier, head of the Brechner Freedom of Information Project at the University of Florida, thinks that governments should have stronger transparency laws. He proposes that governments should make sure that officials who use apps such as Signal should save communications as public records. “We used to be a beacon of light when it came to transparency. Now, we’re not. We have lost our way,” he said.

Future Implications and Security Measures

Experts say that in order to address the controversy, more stringent enforcement of communication procedures at the government level is necessary. More robust cybersecurity and the establishment of government-accredited secure communications tools could be required to safeguard against future such breaches.

The White House has assured that the incident is being reviewed. A spokesman said, “The thread is an example of the intense and careful policy coordination between senior officials. The continued success of the Houthi operation proves that there were no dangers to our servicemembers or our national security.”

But Trump avoided being drawn into the controversy, saying, “I think it’s not much of a magazine, but I know nothing about it. Well, it couldn’t have been very effective because the attack was very effective.”

The Signal app controversy has raised vital questions regarding the application of encrypted messaging apps to government correspondence. Although Signal continues to be a valuable tool for those concerned about privacy, its abuse by officials dealing with sensitive issues raises fundamental concerns. The U.S. government needs to take firm action to institute strict security procedures and avoid such cases in the future.