Signal clones used by Mike Waltz pause the service after reports are hacked
Messaging app It is used in At least one Trump administration official The service was stopped following reports that hackers had stolen data from the app. Telemessage’s parent company Smarsh says it is currently investigating the case.
“Telemesurge is investigating a potential security incident. When it was detected, we contained it and involved an external cybersecurity company to support the investigation,” a Smarsh spokesman told Wired in a statement. “Due to the abundant care, all telemedge services have been temporarily suspended. All other Smarsh products and services are fully operational.”
President Donald Trump’s current national security adviser, Mike Waltz, was captured by a Reuters photographer last week using a rigged version. Secure communication app signal– Known as a telemedge signal or TM signal. This allows users to archive communications. Photos of Waltz using the app seem to show him communicating with other high-ranking officials, including Vice President J.D. Vance, US National Intelligence Director Tarsi Gabbard and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Experts told Wired on Friday that, by definition, TM Signal’s archive capabilities undermine end-to-end encryption that makes real signalling apps safe and private. 404 Media Independent Journalist Mikary On Sunday, the app reported that it was violated by a hacker. NBC News On Monday, it reported that it had reviewed evidence of additional violations.
Telemessage was founded in Israel in 1999 and was acquired last year by Smarsh, a US-based digital communications archive company. Telemessage creates a clearly incorrect version of a popular communications app that includes archive features for facility compliance. However, the company claims that its appearance has the same digital defense as its legitimate counterparts, which could give users a false sense of security.
The use of the Waltz app was under intense scrutiny last month after it appeared to have added an editor to the Atlantic Prime Minister. Signal Group Chat Trump administration officials discussed plans for a military operation. dubbing SignalGatethe scandal ultimately preceded the expulsion of Waltz as a national security adviser. President Trump said last week Plan to nominate him Becoming an ambassador to the United Nations.
Telemedge app is like that Not approved They still appear to be growing for use under the US government’s federal risk and approval management program, or FedRamp. Leaked data The TM signal reportedly indicates that multiple U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents may be using it like a signal. When asked about the violation and whether CBP officials would use TM signals, the agency told Wired that they were “considering this.”
After many reports by Lee and 404 Media over the weekend, Telemessage removed all content from its website on Saturday and deleted its archive service on Sunday.
“We are committed to transparency and will share updates as much as possible,” adds Smarsh’s statement. “We would like to thank our customers and partners for their trust and patience throughout this time.”
Last week’s revelation that Waltz appears to be using TM signals is fearing that information shared on the app could put US national security at risk.