What Is Signal? Trump Admin Uses Messaging App Similar To Meta's WhatsApp To Discuss War Plans

The Trump administration found itself in hot water on Monday after a journalist reported that he had accidentally been added to a group chat on the app Signal alongside high-level officials discussing confidential military operations.

What is Signal, the platform Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth used? And, more importantly, is it safe?

What Is Signal?

Signal is a direct messaging app and a non-profit foundation that utilizes end-to-end encrypted messaging to protect users’ messages from third parties. The app, founded by entrepreneur Moxie Marlinspike, first became available in 2024, according to Wired.

Marlinspike, whose real name is Matthew Rosenfeld, commented on the incident shortly after it was reported. The former head of X’s security team (back when it was known as Twitter) seemingly capitalized on the moment to promote the app.

“There are so many great reasons to be on Signal. Now including the opportunity for the vice president of the United States of America to randomly add you to a group chat for coordination of sensitive military operations,” he said. “Don't sleep on this opportunity…”

There are so many great reasons to be on Signal.

Now including the opportunity for the vice president of the United States of America to randomly add you to a group chat for coordination of sensitive military operations.

Don't sleep on this opportunity…

— Moxie Marlinspike (@moxie) March 24, 2025

Signal allows users to make encrypted phone calls, create large group chats, share photos and videos and avoid text and call charges overseas.

Interestingly, Signal’s code is open source. That means anyone can inspect its encryption protocol. This is similar to Meta Platforms Inc‘s META WhatsApp, the most popular messaging app in the world.

The Trump Administration: The San Francisco-based foundation unexpectedly made headlines on Monday after Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, revealed the administration’s mishap.

Confidential information regarding an upcoming military operation against the Houthis in Yemen was shared on March 15, hours before the mission took place.

Goldberg witnessed a text exchange among 18 senior administration officials about targets and other specific details of the operation. Among those on the thread were Vance, Hegseth, national intelligence director Tulsi Gabbard, and national security adviser Mike Waltz.

Trump later told NBC News that Waltz added Goldberg to the chat.

“I have never seen a breach quite like this,” Goldberg wrote on Monday. “It is not uncommon for national-security officials to communicate on Signal. But the app is used primarily for meeting planning and other logistical matters—not for detailed and highly confidential discussions of a pending military action.”

What’s At Stake?

Lawyers consulted by Goldberg said that officials should not use Signal for discussing war plans as it is not approved for such conversations.

Traditionally, such matters are discussed in a SCIF, or Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility. A SCIF is a highly secure room or building used by government agencies, military personnel, and intelligence organizations. They prevent unauthorized access, electronic surveillance, and data leaks.

While Signal is reportedly safer than conventional text messages, there is still a risk of messages being hacked and used for nefarious purposes.

The Biden administration had permission to download it on their White House-issued phones, but were instructed to use the app “sparingly,” a former national security official told the Associated Press.

Several Democrats, including Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, are now calling for Hegseth's and Waltz's resignations.

When the stakes are this high, incompetence is not an option.

Pete Hegseth should resign.

Mike Waltz should resign.

— Mark Warner (@MarkWarner) March 25, 2025

Now Read:

• Trump’s Tariff Rates Could Be ‘Double What Market Participants Expect,’ Goldman Sachs Warns

Image: Shutterstock