Latest news with #classifiedinformation
Daily Mail
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Australia's intelligence boss reveals the common act that is putting the country at risk - so are YOU guilty of it?
Australia's intelligence boss has warned that people who boast about their access to sensitive information are openly painting themselves as targets for foreign spying operations. ASIO director-general Mike Burgess chided people who held security clearances or who had access to classified information openly promoting themselves on social media at the annual Hawke lecture at the University of South Australia on Thursday. More than 35,000 Australians indicated they had access to classified or private information on a single professional networking site, he said, adding 7000 referred to working in the defence sector and critical technologies. Nearly 2500 boasted about having a security clearance, he said. 'All too often we make it all too easy,' he said. Almost 400 people explicitly said they worked on the AUKUS project, under which Australia will acquire nuclear-powered submarines as the keystone of its military power. Mr Burgess put the cost of espionage - including the theft of intellectual property resulting in lost revenue and responding to incidents - at $12.5 billion in 2023/24. This included cyber spies stealing nearly $2 billion of trade secrets and intellectual property from Australian companies. The number came from a conservative Australian Institute of Criminology analysis that took into account details for ASIO investigations, he said. Hackers stealing commercially sensitive information from one Australian exporter gave a foreign country a leg up in a subsequent contract negotiation, 'costing Australia hundreds of millions of dollars', Mr Burgess said. The director-general also revealed details of multiple espionage operations as he warned officials, businesses and the general public about interference threats and the impact of lax security. Russian spies were deported in 2022 after an ASIO investigation found they were 'recruiting proxies and agents to obtain sensitive information, and employing sophisticated tradecraft to disguise their activities', he said. Russia, China and Iran were singled out as adversaries but 'you would be genuinely shocked by the number and names of countries trying to steal our secrets', he said. ASIO, the nation's domestic intelligence agency, disrupted 24 major espionage and foreign interference operations in the last three years, more than the previous eight years combined. Mr Burgess said spies used a security clearance-holder to obtain information about trade negotiations and convinced one state bureaucrat to log into a database to obtain details of people a foreign regime considered dissidents. The director-general also detailed how a foreign intelligence service ordered spies to apply for Australian government jobs, including at national security institutions, to access classified information. Another example included a visiting academic linked to a foreign government breaking into a restricted lab with sensitive technology and filming inside, he said. 'They are just the tip of an espionage iceberg,' Mr Burgess said. Foreign companies tied to intelligence services had also tried to access private data, buy land near military sites and collaborate with researchers developing sensitive technology. 'In recent years, for example, defence employees travelling overseas have been subjected to covert room searches, been approached at conferences by spies in disguise and given gifts containing surveillance devices,' Mr Burgess added. Hackers had also broken into the network of a peak industry body to steal sensitive information about exports and foreign investment, as well as into a law firm to take information about government-related cases, he said.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pentagon watchdog told Hegseth's leaked Signal chat info came from email classified ‘secret'
Information sent by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on the commercial messaging app Signal to senior officials and a journalist came from a classified email labeled 'SECRET,' the Pentagon's watchdog has been informed. The classified message was also headed as 'NOFORN' – meaning that it was not to be seen by foreign nationals – according to several people familiar with the matter, who spoke to The Washington Post. The incident, described by critics as a significant security breach and which has become known as Signalgate in the media, occurred in March of this year. Hegseth is accused of sharing details of imminent U.S. military operations in Yemen with a group chat, which included cabinet members such as Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and, unwittingly, the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, Jeffrey Goldberg. Goldberg was added by mistake by National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, who has since resigned his post. The reporting that the information Hegseth is accused of sharing on the chat came from a file marked 'SECRET/NOFORN' is at odds with the stance taken by the Trump administration in the aftermath of the incident, that no classified information was divulged. Signalgate is now being investigated by the Defense Department inspector general's office at the request of both Republican and Democratic members of the Senate Armed Services Committee. According to The Post, the strike plans were shared in a classified email to more than a dozen defense officials by General Michael Kurilla, Commander of the United States Central Command, who is in charge of U.S. military operations in the Middle East. The Independent has not separately verified The Post's reporting. The sources cited by the outlet said Kurilla had sent the message over a classified system, the Secret Internet Protocol Router Network, or SIPRNet, per government regulations. In a statement shared with The Independent, chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said: "This Signal narrative is so old and worn out, it's starting to resemble Joe Biden's mental state.' 'The Department stands behind its previous statements: no classified information was shared via Signal. As we've said repeatedly, nobody was texting war plans and the success of the Department's recent operations –from Operation Rough Rider to Operation Midnight Hammer--are proof that our operational security and discipline are top notch,' the Pentagon spokesperson said. White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly added, 'Information related to this successful mission is not classified, and the Houthis have since agreed to a ceasefire. 'This Administration has proven that it can carry out missions with precision and certainty, as evidenced by the successful operations that obliterated Iran's nuclear facilities and killed terrorists. 'It's shameful that the Washington Post continues to publish unverified articles based on alleged emails they haven't personally reviewed in an effort to undermine a successful military operation and resurrect a non-issue that no one has cared about for months.' At a House Armed Services Committee hearing in June, Hegseth did not respond to questions about whether the information he shared had come from classified systems. 'Classifications of any information in an ongoing operation that was successful are not things that would be disclosed in a public forum,' he said.
Daily Mail
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Pentagon probes Pete Hegseth's 'secret' signal messages
An internal investigator at the Department of Defense has received evidence that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth sent secret documents over Signal, according to sources. In March, the Pentagon was shrouded in controversy after a group message on Signal regarding imminent U.S. strikes in Yemen inadvertently included a journalist from The Atlantic. The thread included major heads of state, like Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio , and discussed plans to bomb Houthi militants. The debacle, dubbed 'Signalgate,' resulted in several high-profile officials firings. It also led to Mike Waltz stepping down as national security advisor. At the time Hegseth and others fought back against the scandal, arguing that classified information was not shared through improper channels. But sources have revealed to the Washington Post that the information put in the group chat by Hegseth came from an email marked 'SECRET/NOFORN,' indicating the email's material was highly sensitive in nature. 'NOFORN' means that the information was not to be shared with foreigners, not even with close U.S. allies. Now as Pentagon's internal investigator, the inspector general, reviews the matter, sources say there's evidence that the attack plans originated from classified sources. This revelation cuts directly against the Pentagon's claims that classified information was not shared frivolously - a claim defense officials stand by. 'This Signal narrative is so old and worn out, it's starting to resemble Joe Biden's mental state,' chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell told the Daily Mail. 'The Department stands behind its previous statements: no classified information was shared via Signal. As we've said repeatedly, nobody was texting war plans and the success of the Department's recent operations - from Operation Rough Rider to Operation Midnight Hammer - are proof that our operational security and discipline are top notch,' Hegseth's spokesman added. The information allegedly shared by the secretary originated in an email thread with CENTCOM commander Gen. Erik Kurilla, who sent the plans over classified channels, sources said. Kurilla's message detailed strike plans for that day with precise details, including what aircraft and weapons were to be deployed. It also indicated when the bombing was expected to start. The existence of the chat was exposed by Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg (pictured), who was accidentally added to the sensitive thread. Hegseth has repeatedly insisted that 'no classified information was shared' in the group chat, contrary to the Post's reporting. Since the debacle many Democrats have called for Hegseth to step down. Republican Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., also called for the secretary of defense to resign. But Hegseth has persevered, in part due to Trump's reluctance to hand the media narrative that his Cabinet is in chaos. Republicans in the Senate have remained skeptical of Hegseth; one even told the Daily Mail that some right-wing senators are 'sharpening their knives' and eagerly awaiting the secretary's next misstep. Now, a new rebellion brewing in the Pentagon over the secretary of defense. An effort is under way among some Pentagon officials to denounce Hegseth as unfit to serve as Defense Secretary , the Daily Mail can reveal. Since May, drafts of a letter have been circulating among high and mid-level military brass and civilian workers to 'Let the American public know this guy has no clue what he's doing,' one of them told the Daily Mail. Three Pentagon sources shared that the letter is full of complaints, ranging from politicized decision-making to department-wide dysfunction, low morale, and a climate of paranoia driven by what they describe as Hegseth's obsession with rooting out dissent. The Pentagon again caught a round of negative press earlier this month when Trump and Hegseth appeared at odds over aide for Ukraine. Reports indicated that Hegseth unilaterally decided to halt some weapons shipments to the country. When asked about the pause, Trump said he didn't know about it, putting him in an awkward position. 'I think it would be really unusual for a Secretary of Defense to put a pause on assets to somebody like Ukraine, who we want to help, without consulting the president,' Senator Lisa Murkowski (pictured), R-Alaska, a noted Hegseth skeptic and Trump critic, told the Daily Mail at the time. She called Hegseth's reported pause 'interesting' and praised Trump for changing that directive.
The Independent
23-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Pentagon watchdog told Hegseth's leaked Signal chat info came from email classified ‘secret'
Information sent by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on the commercial messaging app Signal to senior officials and a journalist came from a classified email labeled 'SECRET,' the Pentagon 's watchdog has been informed. The classified message was also headed as 'NOFORN' – meaning that it was not to be seen by foreign nationals – according to several people familiar with the matter, who spoke to The Washington Post. The incident, described by critics as a significant security breach and which has become known as Signalgate in the media, occurred in March of this year. Hegseth is accused of sharing details of imminent U.S. military operations in Yemen with a group chat, which included cabinet members such as Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and, unwittingly, the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, Jeffrey Goldberg. Goldberg was added by mistake by National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, who has since resigned his post. The reporting that the information Hegseth is accused of sharing on the chat came from a file marked 'SECRET/NOFORN' is at odds with the stance taken by the Trump administration in the aftermath of the incident, that no classified information was divulged. Signalgate is now being investigated by the Defense Department inspector general's office at the request of both Republican and Democratic members of the Senate Armed Services Committee. According to The Post, the strike plans were shared in a classified email to more than a dozen defense officials by General Michael Kurilla, Commander of the United States Central Command, who is in charge of U.S. military operations in the Middle East. The Independent has not separately verified The Post's reporting. The sources cited by the outlet said Kurilla had sent the message over a classified system, the Secret Internet Protocol Router Network, or SIPRNet, per government regulations. In a statement shared with The Independent, chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said: "This Signal narrative is so old and worn out, it's starting to resemble Joe Biden's mental state.' 'The Department stands behind its previous statements: no classified information was shared via Signal. As we've said repeatedly, nobody was texting war plans and the success of the Department's recent operations –from Operation Rough Rider to Operation Midnight Hammer--are proof that our operational security and discipline are top notch,' the Pentagon spokesperson said. White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly added, 'Information related to this successful mission is not classified, and the Houthis have since agreed to a ceasefire. 'This Administration has proven that it can carry out missions with precision and certainty, as evidenced by the successful operations that obliterated Iran's nuclear facilities and killed terrorists. 'It's shameful that the Washington Post continues to publish unverified articles based on alleged emails they haven't personally reviewed in an effort to undermine a successful military operation and resurrect a non-issue that no one has cared about for months.' At a House Armed Services Committee hearing in June, Hegseth did not respond to questions about whether the information he shared had come from classified systems. 'Classifications of any information in an ongoing operation that was successful are not things that would be disclosed in a public forum,' he said.
Daily Mail
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Pete Hegseth embarrassed as truth about his 'secret' leaked Signal messages on Yemen bombing exposed
An internal investigator at the Department of Defense has received evidence that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth sent secret documents over Signal, according to sources. In March, the Pentagon was shrouded in controversy after a group message on Signal regarding imminent U.S. strikes in Yemen inadvertently included a journalist from The Atlantic. The thread included major heads of state, like Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and discussed plans to bomb Houthi militants. The debacle, dubbed 'Signalgate,' resulted in several high-profile officials firings. It also led to Mike Waltz stepping down as national security advisor. At the time Hegseth and others fought back against the scandal, arguing that classified information was not shared through improper channels. But sources have revealed to the Washington Post that the information put in the group chat by Hegseth came from an email marked 'SECRET/NOFORN,' indicating the email's material was highly sensitive in nature. 'NOFORN' means that the information was not to be shared with foreigners, not even with close U.S. allies. Now as Pentagon's internal investigator, the inspector general, reviews the matter, sources say there's evidence that the attack plans originated from classified sources. This revelation cuts directly against the Pentagon's claims that classified information was not shared frivolously - a claim defense officials stand by. 'This Signal narrative is so old and worn out, it's starting to resemble Joe Biden's mental state,' chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell told the Daily Mail. 'The Department stands behind its previous statements: no classified information was shared via Signal.' 'As we've said repeatedly, nobody was texting war plans and the success of the Department's recent operations - from Operation Rough Rider to Operation Midnight Hammer - are proof that our operational security and discipline are top notch,' Hegseth's spokesman added. The information allegedly shared by the secretary originated in an email thread with CENTCOM commander Gen. Erik Kurilla, who sent the plans over classified channels, sources said. Kurilla's message detailed strike plans for that day with precise details, including what aircraft and weapons were to be deployed. It also indicated when the bombing was expected to start. The existence of the chat was exposed by Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg, who was accidentally added to the sensitive thread. Hegseth has repeatedly insisted that 'no classified information was shared' in the group chat, contrary to the Post's reporting. Since the debacle many Democrats have called for Hegseth to step down. Republican Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., also called for the secretary of defense to resign. But Hegseth has persevered, in part due to Trump's reluctance to hand the media narrative that his Cabinet is in chaos. Republicans in the Senate have remained skeptical of Hegseth; one even told the Daily Mail that some right-wing senators are 'sharpening their knives' and eagerly awaiting the secretary's next misstep. Now, a new rebellion brewing in the Pentagon over the secretary of defense. An effort is under way among some Pentagon officials to denounce Hegseth as unfit to serve as Defense Secretary, the Daily Mail can reveal. Since May, drafts of a letter have been circulating among high and mid-level military brass and civilian workers to 'Let the American public know this guy has no clue what he's doing,' one of them told the Daily Mail. Three Pentagon sources shared that the letter is full of complaints, ranging from politicized decision-making to department-wide dysfunction, low morale, and a climate of paranoia driven by what they describe as Hegseth's obsession with rooting out dissent. The Pentagon again caught a round of negative press earlier this month when Trump and Hegseth appeared at odds over aide for Ukraine. Reports indicated that Hegseth unilaterally decided to halt some weapons shipments to the country. When asked about the pause, Trump said he didn't know about it, putting him in an awkward position. 'I think it would be really unusual for a Secretary of Defense to put a pause on assets to somebody like Ukraine, who we want to help, without consulting the president,' Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, a noted Hegseth skeptic and Trump critic, told the Daily Mail at the time. She called Hegseth's reported pause 'interesting' and praised Trump for changing that directive.
