Breach Exposes US Gov’t Data Via Trump Aide’s Comms App

Washington D.C. – A recent cybersecurity incident has exposed sensitive communications data from numerous U.S. government officials after a breach of the TeleMessage app, a service previously used by former Trump national security advisor Mike Waltz.

The breach, uncovered by Reuters, potentially compromises data from over 60 government officials, including disaster response personnel, diplomatic staff, and even individuals within the White House and Secret Service.

Data Breach Details Emerge

The leaked data, provided by Distributed Denial of Secrets, covers a brief period ending on May 4th and includes fragmented message snippets. While the full scope of the compromised information remains under investigation, the incident raises significant concerns about data security within the Trump administration and beyond.

TeleMessage, marketed as a secure messaging platform compliant with government archiving rules, gained attention after a photo showed Mike Waltz using its version of the Signal app during a cabinet meeting. The service has been suspended since May 5th.

Concerns Over Metadata and Counterintelligence

While Reuters’ review did not reveal overtly sensitive content in the examined messages, experts warn that the leaked metadata – detailing who communicated with whom and when – poses a severe counterintelligence risk.

“Even if you don’t have the content, that is a top-tier intelligence access,” warned Jake Williams, a former NSA cyber specialist.

Government Agencies Respond

The White House acknowledged being “aware of the cyber security incident at Smarsh,” TeleMessage’s owner. Other agencies, including the Secret Service and FEMA, have initiated reviews or investigations into the matter. The State Department has yet to issue a statement.

This breach highlights the ongoing challenges of securing government communications in an era of increasing cyber threats. Further investigation is needed to fully assess the damage and implement necessary safeguards.

Keywords

• Cybersecurity
• Data Breach
• TeleMessage
• Trump Administration
• Government Data

Reporting by Raphael Satter and AJ Vicens; Editing by Chris Sanders and Anna Driver