In a twist that feels ripped from a spy thriller, a hacker just waltzed into TeleMessage’s digital vault—yeah, the Israeli firm that tweaks encrypted messaging apps like Signal and Telegram. According to 404 Media, this isn’t just any breach. We’re talking archived chats, sensitive data, and contact details of big-shot government officials. Oops.
Here’s the kicker: TeleMessage’s Signal knockoff was the go-to for former US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz to stash his messages. And guess who else popped up in those chats? Marco Rubio and VP JD Vance, to name a few. Suddenly, the app’s security doesn’t just have holes—it’s practically Swiss cheese. And when the hacker casually mentions it was a walk in the park to pull this off? That’s not reassuring.
Let’s not forget, this mess comes hot on the heels of Waltz accidentally outing his TeleMessage habit during a cabinet meeting. Talk about bad timing. Now, the breach is like a neon sign flashing ‘I told you so’ over the risks of using consumer apps for government secrets.
And here’s the broader picture: government officials love their encrypted apps, but this fiasco throws a wrench in the works. Remember when it came out that top US officials were using Signal to chat about active combat? This breach cranks up the volume on the whole convenience vs. security debate—especially when it comes to the folks running the show.
