Signal Chats and National Security: What's the Big Deal?

The use of Signal, an encrypted messaging app, for national security discussions has come under the spotlight. Mike Waltz, a key figure in national security, and his team have been using Signal for sensitive talks. This news comes after a previous incident where operational details about military strikes were shared in a chat that included the defense secretary. The Signal chats covered a broad range of topics, from Ukraine to Africa. Sources say that while sensitive information was discussed, it's unclear if any of it was classified. This raises questions about how the team handles secret information. Waltz's team has also been using personal Gmail accounts for government work, which has raised eyebrows. The White House has defended the use of Signal, stating that it's an approved method of communication, but not the primary one. They also deny that any classified information was shared.However, experts disagree. They point out that the details shared in the earlier chat, such as launch times for military strikes, would typically be classified. This highlights a potential gap between what the administration says and what the rules actually require. There are also concerns about using Signal for government work. If chats are automatically deleted, it could violate federal record-keeping laws. Plus, if a phone is seized, it could compromise operational security. Despite these issues, Trump has stood by his national security adviser. An investigation into how Waltz accidentally added a journalist to a sensitive chat has been closed. This leaves many wondering about the future of national security communications.