Signal messaging app tangled in US military leak scandal
Signal, the popular messaging app, has found itself at the centre of controversy following the leak of U.S. attack plans in Yemen. How does this application work and how did the "leak" of protected data occur?
Signal, known for its end-to-end encryption, has become a tool in the scandal involving the leak of U.S. attack plans in Yemen. Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of "The Atlantic," revealed that by joining the group chat "Houthi PC small group" he had access to secret information regarding military operations.
Leak of secret data in the U.S
The chat participants included U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Goldberg had insight into the plans for attacks on Houthi targets, which contained detailed information about the targets and the means used. The journalist was informed of the operation's effects two hours before it began.
President Donald Trump, when asked about the matter, stated:
- I don't know anything about it. You're telling me about it for the first time - emphasised the President of the U.S.
In the coming days, he is expected to decide on potential consequences for those involved. The scandal has sparked a wave of criticism and demands for resignations among Democratic Party politicians.
Signal - what is this application?
Signal is an internet messenger that allows the sending of encrypted text messages, images, and videos, as well as voice and video calls. It operates on Android, iOS, and computers with Windows, macOS, and Linux. Its creators emphasise that the application is ad-free and does not track users.
Signal was developed as a successor to the RedPhone and TextSecure applications. Since 2014, it has been developed by the Signal Technology Foundation and its subsidiary Signal Messenger LLC. The non-profit organisation was founded by Moxie Marlinspike and Brian Acton in 2018 and has since supported the messenger's development.
Content encryption - how does Signal work?
The main idea of Signal is to ensure complete privacy of communication. Thanks to end-to-end encryption, messages are protected from being read by unauthorised persons. The application's creators do not have access to encryption keys, which prevents them from reading conversations.
