Latest news with #MoxieMarlinspike
Forbes
28-03-2025
- Forbes
Signal Messenger: A Powerful Tool—But Not A Magic Bullet
If you're keeping an eye on cybersecurity—or, frankly, the news cycle—you've likely heard of Signal. The encrypted messaging app has long been the go-to choice for journalists, activists, and privacy-conscious users. But it recently found itself thrust into the political spotlight for a very different reason: a scandal involving Trump cabinet and government officials using Signal to discuss sensitive, debatably classified, military operations—and inadvertently looping a journalist into the conversation. This eyebrow-raising breach of national security has also became a cultural moment for Signal. News of the incident exploded across media outlets and social platforms, prompting a dramatic spike in Signal downloads as the public's curiosity about encrypted communication tools reignited. Yet buried in the noise is a more nuanced truth: while Signal is a phenomenal app for private conversations, it's not invincible—and it was never meant to be used for classified or mission-critical communication. Signal's story begins with a commitment to privacy at its core. Created by Open Whisper Systems and later championed by the nonprofit Signal Foundation, Signal emerged as the brainchild of cryptographer Moxie Marlinspike. By pioneering the Signal Protocol—an open-source end-to-end encryption framework—the team paved the way for stronger privacy across the broader messaging ecosystem. In fact, the Signal Protocol is also used in apps like WhatsApp, Skype, and Facebook Messenger for their encrypted messaging modes. But unlike many tech solutions, Signal isn't built to generate profit or harvest data. Instead, it operates thanks to grants, donations, and its dedicated user base. This nonprofit, open-source approach fosters trust and transparency. Anyone with the skills can audit the code, examine its encryption protocols, or contribute to its evolution. 1. End-to-End Encryption Signal's flagship feature is its end-to-end encryption (E2EE), which ensures that only the sender and the recipient can read the messages—no middleman, including Signal itself, can access the contents. That's a significant layer of protection against interception or surveillance. 2. Disappearing Messages Users can configure messages to self-delete after a set amount of time, limiting the risk of sensitive conversations sitting idle on a device. While it's not foolproof—screenshots, backups, or physical access can still expose information—it adds another layer of protection. 3. Metadata Minimization Signal goes to great lengths to reduce metadata, the often-overlooked byproduct of digital communication. It doesn't store message contents or contact logs and employs techniques like sealed sender to further obscure traffic patterns. Still, complete metadata invisibility isn't technically possible. Signal isn't just popular among tech-savvy users—it has earned the trust of people who have the most to lose from surveillance. Investigative journalists, political dissidents, whistleblowers, and human rights activists rely on Signal to protect sources, organize efforts, and preserve anonymity. It offers peace of mind in countries where expression can carry dangerous consequences—which is also why it is currently gaining popularity in the United States. At the same time, its clean, intuitive design makes it equally attractive to the average consumer looking to escape the surveillance economy. There's no advertising, no data profiling, and no creepy targeted content. Just encrypted chat, voice, and video calling, available on Android, iOS, and desktop computers. Despite its strengths, Signal is not a silver bullet. And as the cabinet official scandal shows, misusing even the best tools can have serious consequences. 1. Metadata Leakage Through Network Observation While Signal tries to obscure user metadata, internet service providers and global surveillance networks can still glean behavioral patterns—such as when you're online, how often you message certain contacts, or your physical location based on IP address. These breadcrumbs can be surprisingly revealing. 2. Device Compromise Nullifies Encryption Signal's encryption is only effective if your device is secure. If your phone is compromised—whether via malware, spyware, or someone gaining physical access—attackers can read decrypted messages directly from the screen or memory. Pegasus-style spyware doesn't break encryption; it sidesteps it entirely. 3. Human Error Remains the Weakest Link Signal can't save you from yourself. Reusing weak passcodes, falling for phishing attempts, or accidentally adding the wrong participant to a group chat (as seen in the 'SignalGate' incident) can all undermine even the most secure platforms. 4. Not Fit for Classified Government Use Encryption is just one aspect of securing sensitive or classified communications. Government protocols require strict chain-of-custody procedures, specialized hardware, and compliance with classified handling frameworks—none of which Signal is designed to support. While it's 'secure enough' for everyday communication, it is not certified for handling state secrets, and treating it as such introduces significant national security risk. It's easy to conflate privacy with invulnerability. But cybersecurity doesn't work like that. No app can completely remove risk. Even Signal's creators have been candid about the platform's limitations. They've engineered it for everyday privacy—not espionage. That doesn't mean you shouldn't use Signal. In fact, you probably should. It's one of the most secure and ethical options for personal messaging on the market. But treat it as one piece of your security toolkit—not the whole kit. Use strong passwords. Keep your OS updated. Pair it with a VPN if you're especially cautious. And if your communication involves trade secrets or government intel, follow the channels designed to handle that level of sensitivity. The Signal controversy is a case study in how the best tools can still be misused—and misunderstood. Encryption protects content, but not context. Signal doesn't grant anonymity, and it certainly doesn't grant impunity. The viral attention and surge in app downloads after the 'SignalGate' scandal highlight a paradox: as more people become aware of digital privacy, fewer understand its limits. Signal remains a standout success in the push for privacy-respecting technology. Its open-source ethos, commitment to user security, and accessibility make it an essential tool in today's digital landscape. But it's not built for every purpose—and certainly not for classified operations. With heightened digital surveillance and eroding privacy norms, the real challenge isn't finding 'unbreakable' tools. It's developing digital literacy about the tools we have. Encryption is critical—but so is understanding its boundaries. Signal offers privacy. You have to bring the security mindset.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
The Founder Of Signal Hilariously Trolled White House Officials About Their Text Message Drama
Sooo, we're all up to date on that "journalist in the private chat discussing 'war' or 'attack' plans" thing, right? On Wednesday, all of the texts were released. And, then, basically, everyone in the White House was caught up on the whole "war plan" vs. "attack plan" thing. It's all semantics! Well, now a post from the founder of the app they were using, Signal, is speaking out. This is Matthew Rosenfeld aka Moxie Marlinspike. He invented Signal. For those who don't know, Signal is a private messaging app that provides end-to-end encrypted text, voice, and video communications. Well, Moxie used this text drama to promote the app, and his response is going viral: He's got a point! As this person said, "Millions of advertising couldn't get you this."
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
The Founder Of Signal Hilariously Trolled White House Officials About Their Text Message Drama
Sooo, we're all up to date on that "journalist in the private chat discussing 'war' or 'attack' plans" thing, right? On Wednesday, all of the texts were released. And, then, basically, everyone in the White House was caught up on the whole "war plan" vs. "attack plan" thing. It's all semantics! Well, now a post from the founder of the app they were using, Signal, is speaking out. This is Matthew Rosenfeld aka Moxie Marlinspike. He invented Signal. For those who don't know, Signal is a private messaging app that provides end-to-end encrypted text, voice, and video communications. Well, Moxie used this text drama to promote the app, and his response is going viral: He's got a point! As this person said, "Millions of advertising couldn't get you this."
Buzz Feed
27-03-2025
- Politics
- Buzz Feed
The Founder Of Signal Hilariously Trolled White House Officials About Their Text Message Drama
Hot Topic 🔥 Full coverage and conversation on Politics On Wednesday, all of the texts were released. And, then, basically, everyone in the White House was caught up on the whole "war plan" vs. "attack plan" thing. Well, now a post from the founder of the app they were using, Signal, is speaking out. This is Matthew Rosenfeld aka Moxie Marlinspike. He invented Signal. For those who don't know, Signal is a private messaging app that provides end-to-end encrypted text, voice, and video communications. Well, Moxie used this text drama to promote the app, and his response is going viral: moxie/ He's got a point! Fox
South China Morning Post
27-03-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Who are Signal's founders Moxie Marlinspike and Brian Acton? Marlinspike took to X to respond to Trump's US military group chat fiasco, and Acton is the billionaire who sold WhatsApp to Facebook
Signal's founder Moxie Marlinspike has responded to the US military group chat fiasco by taking to X to poke fun at President Donald Trump's administration. 'There are so many great reasons to be on Signal,' Marlinspike, whose real name is Matthew Rosenfeld, wrote on X on Monday afternoon. Advertisement Moxie Marlinspike, co-founder of the Signal messaging app, made a wry joke on X about the Signal group created by National Security Adviser Mike Waltz. Photo: @moxiemarlinspike/Instagram 'Now including the opportunity for the vice-president of the United States of America to randomly add you to a group chat for coordination of sensitive military operations. Don't sleep on this opportunity …' US vice-president J.D. Vance, defence secretary Pete Hegseth and national security adviser Mike Waltz all shared classified information on a Signal group chat. Photo: Reuters Earlier that day, The Atlantic's editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg had revealed that he had been accidentally included in a Signal group chat with US national security leaders discussing upcoming military strikes in Yemen. Smoke rises from a location reportedly struck by US air strikes in Sanaa, Yemen on Saturday, March 15. Photo: AP Two hours after he received details of the attack on March 15, the US began launching air strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. The group chat reportedly included defence secretary Pete Hegseth , vice-president J.D. Vance , secretary of state Marco Rubio and Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's director of national intelligence.
