Staff Reports
A recent memo from the Biden administration offers a peculiar approach to cybersecurity, suggesting that senior government officials utilize the encrypted messaging app Signal for their communications. In a world where malware can feel like a friendly neighborhood spook knocking at the government’s door, the idea of public servants relying on an app for highly sensitive discussions raises more than a few eyebrows.
This guidance was released by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) just before the curtain came down on Biden’s administration, marking a new era of encrypted chatter for “highly targeted individuals.” It boldly states that these officials should consider all their communications vulnerable to prying eyes, particularly from gung-ho hackers in China. Apparently, the strategy now includes dodging cyber surveillance with a handy app instead of fortifying America’s cybersecurity infrastructure itself. Who knew that the solution to national security threats could be downloaded from an app store?
“Highly targeted individuals” are mainly folks in senior government roles holding secrets that could intrigue nefarious actors. The memo advises using apps like Signal to “significantly enhance protection.” One can’t help but wonder what exactly the creators of these apps think about their role in securing sensitive government communications. Should they start selling T-shirts that say, “I protected national secrets while taking selfies with emojis”?
The judge gets the case and has to make a decision (follow through) and bring all government communications on Signal into legal proceedings or (fold) and admit it’s a nothing burger.
Funny thing about precedent .
Bonus: leakers smoked outhttps://t.co/cK0kM9HCmV
— Apocomilitiaman611 (@ApocoMilitia611) March 26, 2025
The memo’s rather conspicuous omission regarding classified information is hard to overlook. While it takes a rather cavalier stance urging the use of Signal, it doesn’t clarify whether or not government officials can communicate classified materials over it. This sounds like an invitation for some creative interpretation. After all, what could go wrong with sending sensitive information through an app known for its disappearing messages? It’s like giving a toddler a set of keys to a sports car and wishing for the best.
As a cherry on top of this cybersecurity sundae, it has come to light that hackers, thought to be associated with China, previously targeted devices of prominent political figures, including Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. Apparently, these cyber mischief-makers took a particular interest in the personal devices of characters in a political drama that continues to captivate the nation. If there were ever a case for frantic communication via an encrypted app, this would be it—unless those officials had the foresight to employ something a little more robust than just their smartphones.
In the grand scheme of things, it begs the question: does relying on an app for sensitive conversations signify innovation or negligence? As the Biden administration strolls off into the sunset with its security strategies, the American public is left wondering whether their officials are gearing up for digital diplomacy or playing a potential game of cyber poker with their public. A serious moment of reflection might just be in order before sending any vital secrets into the ether of the internet.
