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But how exactly did this group chat debacle happen, and what does it say about Signal?
With robust privacy credentials, Signal has long set the standard for secure messaging.
Signals reputation has made it popular with journalists, politicians and privacy advocates.
Used correctly on an Android or iOS equipment, it can absolutely make your conversations more secure.
Even so, its not a tool designed for sharing classified information.
So why have senior US politicians been using it for sensitive national security communications?
And how safe were those messages?
What is Signal?
Signal is a messaging app that’s available for iOS and Android devices.
Like thebest messaging apps, it supports cross-platform text, voice and video chats.
What sets Signal apart is its robust privacy features: its regarded as the benchmark for secure mobile communications.
Signal was created in 2012 by Moxie Marlinspike.
Its now run by the Signal Foundation, a non-profit organization founded in 2018 by Marlinspike andWhatsAppco-founder Brian Acton.
The Foundation relies on donations rather than ad revenue to fund its services.
Instead, its developers have focused on creating a secure, minimalist communications tool.
How safe and secure is Signal?
Used correctly, Signal has the most robust privacy credentials of any major messaging app.
It has the most layers of security at both the front-end and back-end.
Signal CEOMeredith Whittakermaintains that the app is the gold standard in private communication.
This incident was not really a failing of Signal.
The journalist in question did not infiltrate the group chat through a backdoor.
Any group chat is only as secure as its members.
Even with disappearing messages enabled, there is a window in which anyone in that group can read them.
By mistakenly adding the journalist to the group, the US official became responsible for compromising its integrity.
Whats more, messages sent on Signal are only as secure as the equipment that is receiving them.
There is also nothing to prevent someone simply reading messages over your shoulder.
This is why the use of Signal by top US officials fell far short of government security protocols.
Since the leak, the Pentagon has issued an advisory prohibiting the use of Signal even for unclassified information.
National Security Adviser Mike Waltz has acknowledged the failing.
Speaking to Fox News, he described it as embarrassing and took full responsibility.
How does Signal work?
Signal offers greater security in three key ways.
No-one else can read these messages, not even Signal.
While othermessaging appsalso offer end-to-end encryption, Signals is more secure because its open source.
This community scrutiny makes it more likely that problems are found and fixed before hackers can exploit them.
Then there are the Signal Foundations principles.
That also means users wont be tracked or encounter ads on the platform.
Finally, there are the safety features integral to the user experience.
These include a personal PIN to secure your profile and the option to hide your phone number.
In addition, you cant be added to a group chat without giving your express approval.
Tap the pencil icon to start a one-on-one or group chat.
Within a chat, you’ve got the option to share messages, photos and voice notes.
it’s possible for you to also tap the phone or camera icons to start voice or video calls.
If youre keen to secure your messages, there are a few more advanced features to explore and configure.
ASignal PINcan be used to recover your profile and options on a different gear.
Its configured by going to Signal tweaks, tapping Account then selecting Change your pin.
Signal also encourages users to verifySafety Numbers.
These are generated for every one-on-one chat to confirm that youre sending messages to the right person.
To view a Safety Number, open a chat, tap the header and select View Safety Number.
To verify it, you would ideally compare numbers with the recipient in person.
Otherwise, you might share it using a trusted channel.
Disappearing messagesadd an additional layer of privacy.
you might set a default timer by going to Signal parameters > Privacy > Default timer for new chats.
you’re free to also configure timers for specific chats.
Just go to chat parameters and select Disappearing messages.
In addition, you canhide Signal callsfrom your devices call log.
For more tips onhow to keep your phone safe, read our dedicated feature here.
