- Published Date:March 29, 2025
Signalgate: A scandal of abuse, not technology
The shocking revelation that a member of the Trump Cabinet accidentally invited The Atlantic's editor-in-chief to a Signal group chat discussing potential bombing in Yemen has turned into a major controversy. The incident, now known as Signalgate, has not only embarrassed the second Trump administration but also sparked debate over security, encryption, and government communications protocols. However, as cybersecurity experts quickly make clear, Signalgate is not about Signal — it's about human error and poor operational security.
The controversy began when The Atlantic's editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg revealed that he had been inadvertently included in a Signal group chat in which US military plans were being discussed. While administration critics have pointed the finger at Signal for alleged security lapses, experts overwhelmingly agree: The problem is not with the encrypted messaging app but with its users.
False accusations and political fallout
In an effort to deflect responsibility, some members of the administration have suggested that Signal itself is flawed. National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, who reportedly invited Goldberg to the chat, speculated that Goldberg may have hacked the conversation. Even President Donald Trump expressed skepticism, saying, "I don't know if Signal works. I think Signal may have flaws, to be honest."
But security researchers disagree. Ken White, director of the Open Crypto Audit Project, emphasized that Signal remains the gold standard for encrypted messaging. "Signal is a communications tool designed for privacy. If someone is accidentally added to the chat, that's not a flaw in the technology — it's user negligence."
Matt Green, a cryptographer and professor at Johns Hopkins University, echoed the same sentiment: "Signal is a tool. If you misuse a tool, bad things will happen. If you get hit in your face with a hammer, it's not the hammer's fault."
The real security problem: Unauthorized devices
Beyond the embarrassment of the accidental invite, the scandal has drawn attention to another serious security concern — high-ranking officials conducting sensitive discussions on an unsecured, commercially available device. Signal, like any other consumer messaging app, runs on internet-connected smartphones, tablets, and computers that are vulnerable to cyberattacks if not properly secured.
"In previous administrations, this type of discussion on a non-secure device would have been strictly prohibited," White explained. "Using Signal or any similar app on a personal or non-restricted device introduces risks that the app itself is not designed to handle." Adding to the controversy, congressional hearings revealed that some officials had demanded that Signal be installed on their government-issued device—an unusual move that raises concerns about whether proper security protocols were followed.
Signal's Privacy and Power
Ironically, this scandal highlights just how private and secure Signal really is. The fact that top-level officials—including the president of the United States—are using it for confidential conversations underscores its reputation as one of the most secure messaging platforms. Signal's end-to-end encryption ensures that only the intended participants can access messages, and its commitment to minimal data retention makes it an attractive option for anyone concerned about privacy, from journalists to human-rights activists—and, as it turns out, even the White House.
"Signal is a great option for high-risk people—attorneys, whistleblowers, investigative reporters," White said. “If the administration wanted secure communications over publicly available apps, they could do worse than Signal.”
Lessons from Signalgate.
At its core, Signalgate is a lesson in operational security, not software vulnerabilities. It serves as a stark reminder that even the best encryption tools can’t compensate for human error, poor judgment, or failure to follow security protocols.
While Signal remains a trusted and widely used tool for encrypted communications, the real issue in this scandal is the carelessness with which high-stakes discussions were handled. In the wake of the damage from Signalgate, one thing is clear: secure technology is only as effective as the people who use it.
