Latest news with #CaptureMobile
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
‘Less secured' Signal app used by former Trump advisor Mike Waltz hacked: Report
An unofficial version of the Signal messaging app, reportedly used by former Trump administration National Security Adviser (NSA) Mike Waltz, has been hacked, a report has claimed. According to a tech news site 404 Media, the hacker exploited a vulnerability within TeleMessage , an application resembling Signal in its functionality. The publication also claims that the unidentified hacker, who has claimed to have breached TeleMessage's backend infrastructure, intercepted messages from some of the app's users and has provided supporting material, some of which 404 Media was able to independently verify. However, the publication noted that the hacker did not intercept any messages belonging to Waltz or other members of the Trump cabinet. The publication claimed that data related to Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the cryptocurrency giant Coinbase and other financial institutions are included in the hacked material. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo The app was recently spotted in a photograph shared by news agency Reuters. It appeared to show Waltz using TeleMessage – a less secure version of Signal app – during a cabinet meeting last week. Waltz fired from his position as NSA Waltz was ousted from his position on Thursday (May 1), several weeks after a scandal erupted concerning his creation of a Signal group chat to share real-time updates on US military actions in Yemen. The chat garnered attention when Waltz mistakenly added a prominent journalist to the group. While Signal is an end-to-end encrypted messaging platform designed to prevent unauthorised surveillance, TeleMessage, a Smarsh product undergoing rebranding as Capture Mobile, is engineered to capture messages after decryption for preservation and storage purposes, the report says. Earlier this week, a Signal spokesperson told Reuters that the company 'cannot guarantee the privacy or security properties of unofficial versions of Signal.'
Int'l Business Times
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
Unofficial Signal Clone Used by Former NSA Mike Waltz Hacked, Raising Security Concerns
A modified version of Signal used by former National Security Adviser Mike Waltz has been hacked, according to a report published by tech news outlet 404 Media on Sunday. The hacker is said to have gained access to customer data from TeleMessage, a Signal-like app that Waltz was seen using during a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, reported Reuters. His use of the tool, which visually mimics Signal but functions differently, drew attention due to its apparent role in capturing sensitive government discussions. Exposure Of Government Communications The breach allegedly exposed the contents of some direct messages and group chats sent through these modified apps. While the hacker did not gain access to messages sent by Waltz or other senior officials, the attack revealed that archived chat logs were not protected by end-to-end encryption once routed from the app to the archival systems controlled by TeleMessage clients. Among the most alarming details revealed by the hack is that chats involving high-profile figures —such as Senators Marco Rubio, Tulsi Gabbard, and JD Vance — were potentially vulnerable. The tool's design made it possible for a hacker to easily access archived messages of users outside the inner circle of top officials. 404 Media quoted the unidentified hacker, who claimed to have infiltrated TeleMessage's backend infrastructure and intercepted user messages. The hacker reportedly provided 404 Media with samples of the compromised data, some of which the outlet was able to independently verify. Political Fallout The revelation of Waltz's use of TeleMessage has only amplified scrutiny of the app and its implications for national security. Waltz was removed from his position Thursday following a scandal in which he reportedly created a Signal group to share real-time updates on U.S. military actions in Yemen. The situation escalated after a journalist was accidentally added to the group, raising alarms about the careless handling of classified information. Signal Responds Signal, known for its end-to-end encryption and resistance to surveillance, distanced itself from unofficial versions of its app. A Signal spokesperson stated that the company "cannot guarantee the privacy or security properties of unofficial versions of Signal." Security Flaws In Archival Tools TeleMessage is being rebranded as "Capture Mobile" by its parent company, Smarsh. Its core function is to capture and archive messages after they are decrypted, a practice meant to meet government record-keeping requirements. However, cybersecurity experts warn that such systems, if not securely implemented, can introduce serious vulnerabilities—exactly as the recent hack demonstrated.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tech site says Signal-like app used by Trump adviser was hacked
A security breach in an unofficial version of the encrypted messaging app Signal has raised concerns about the vulnerability of communications within the highest levels of the US government, according to a report by tech site 404 Media. The app, TeleMessage, which mimics Signal's functionality, was reportedly used by former National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, as indicated by a Reuters photograph showing him using the app during a cabinet meeting. The vulnerability exploited by the hacker highlights potential security risks associated with using unofficial communication platforms for sensitive government discussions. Waltz was ousted Thursday, several weeks after the eruption of a scandal over his creation of a Signal group to share realtime updates on U.S. military action in Yemen. The chat drew particular attention because Waltz, or someone using his account, accidentally added a prominent journalist to the group. The revelation that Waltz was using TeleMessage, which appears to have a similar interface and functionality as Signal, has only heightened the concerns over the security of his communications. 404 Media quoted the hacker - who didn't identify themself - as saying that they had broken into TeleMessage's backend infrastructure and been able to intercept some of its users' messages. 404 Media said the hacker provided them with material, some of which the news site was able to independently verify. The publication said that the hacker did not intercept messages from Waltz or other Trump cabinet officials. Reuters could not independently verify the report. Messages seeking comment from TeleMessage and its corporate owner, Portland, Oregon-based Smarsh, were not immediately returned. Messages seeking comment from Waltz and the White House also weren't immediately returned. Signal is an end-to-end encrypted messaging platform whose technology is meant to frustrate hostile surveillance. Smarsh's product TeleMessage, which the company is in the process of rebranding as Capture Mobile, is designed to capture the messages once they've been decrypted so they can be preserved and stored. That kind of additional functionality can be useful for complying with government rules on document retention but if poorly implemented it can introduce security risks. A Signal spokesperson told Reuters earlier this week that the company "cannot guarantee the privacy or security properties of unofficial versions of Signal."
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tech site says Signal-like app used by Trump adviser was hacked
A security breach in an unofficial version of the encrypted messaging app Signal has raised concerns about the vulnerability of communications within the highest levels of the US government, according to a report by tech site 404 Media. The app, TeleMessage, which mimics Signal's functionality, was reportedly used by former National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, as indicated by a Reuters photograph showing him using the app during a cabinet meeting. The vulnerability exploited by the hacker highlights potential security risks associated with using unofficial communication platforms for sensitive government discussions. Waltz was ousted Thursday, several weeks after the eruption of a scandal over his creation of a Signal group to share realtime updates on U.S. military action in Yemen. The chat drew particular attention because Waltz, or someone using his account, accidentally added a prominent journalist to the group. The revelation that Waltz was using TeleMessage, which appears to have a similar interface and functionality as Signal, has only heightened the concerns over the security of his communications. 404 Media quoted the hacker - who didn't identify themself - as saying that they had broken into TeleMessage's backend infrastructure and been able to intercept some of its users' messages. 404 Media said the hacker provided them with material, some of which the news site was able to independently verify. The publication said that the hacker did not intercept messages from Waltz or other Trump cabinet officials. Reuters could not independently verify the report. Messages seeking comment from TeleMessage and its corporate owner, Portland, Oregon-based Smarsh, were not immediately returned. Messages seeking comment from Waltz and the White House also weren't immediately returned. Signal is an end-to-end encrypted messaging platform whose technology is meant to frustrate hostile surveillance. Smarsh's product TeleMessage, which the company is in the process of rebranding as Capture Mobile, is designed to capture the messages once they've been decrypted so they can be preserved and stored. That kind of additional functionality can be useful for complying with government rules on document retention but if poorly implemented it can introduce security risks. A Signal spokesperson told Reuters earlier this week that the company "cannot guarantee the privacy or security properties of unofficial versions of Signal."
Al Arabiya
05-05-2025
- Business
- Al Arabiya
Tech site says Signal-like app used by ex-National Security Advisor Mike Waltz was hacked
The unofficial version of Signal used by Donald Trump's former National Security Adviser Mike Waltz has been hacked, tech site 404 Media said Sunday, raising further concern over the security of the communications exchanged at the highest levels of the US government. 404 Media said the hacker exploited a vulnerability in TeleMessage, a Signal-like application which a Reuters photograph appeared to show Waltz using at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday. Waltz was ousted Thursday, several weeks after the eruption of a scandal over his creation of a Signal group to share realtime updates on US military action in Yemen. The chat drew particular attention because Waltz, or someone using his account, accidentally added a prominent journalist to the group. The revelation that Waltz was using TeleMessage, which appears to have a similar interface and functionality as Signal, has only heightened the concerns over the security of his communications. 404 Media quoted the hacker - who didn't identify themself - as saying that they had broken into TeleMessage's backend infrastructure and been able to intercept some of its users' messages. 404 Media said the hacker provided them with material, some of which the news site was able to independently verify. The publication said that the hacker did not intercept messages from Waltz or other Trump cabinet officials. Reuters could not independently verify the report. Messages seeking comment from TeleMessage and its corporate owner, Portland, Oregon-based Smarsh, were not immediately returned. Messages seeking comment from Waltz and the White House also weren't immediately returned. Signal is an end-to-end encrypted messaging platform whose technology is meant to frustrate hostile surveillance. Smarsh's product TeleMessage, which the company is in the process of rebranding as Capture Mobile, is designed to capture the messages once they've been decrypted so they can be preserved and stored. That kind of additional functionality can be useful for complying with government rules on document retention but if poorly implemented it can introduce security risks. A Signal spokesperson told Reuters earlier this week that the company 'cannot guarantee the privacy or security properties of unofficial versions of Signal.'
