The messaging app signal is now at the focus of discussion after a secret group chat of the US government is leaked. However, there has been widespread controversy after the discussion of the group chat came out publicly.
Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of the UK magazine Atlantic, mistakenly joined the secret group chat. The group was discussing plans to attack Yemen's Houthi group. After joining the Goldberg Group, important information about the attack was leaked, which was subsequently revealed in the media.
Democrat Senate leader Chak Shumar has called the incident a 'most surprising' military intelligence information leaked and called for an investigation. The question is, however, is what the signal app really is and how safe it is.
The security of the signal app
The number of monthly users of the signal is approximately 3-5 million, which is much smaller than the largest messaging service WhatsApp and Messenger. The number of these platform users is measured in billion. However, the signal is ahead in security.
Its main security feature is the end to end encryption (E2 EE). This means that only the sender and the recipient can read the message, the signal itself cannot access them.
Many platforms, including WhatsApp, have end to end encryption. However, the security feature of the signal is even stronger. Because the app used to work is open source. That is, anyone can test it, so that hackers will not be able to find any weaknesses from it.
Its manufacturers claim that it collects much less information from users and especially it does not save users' user names, profile pictures or group-related records.
In addition, there is no need to change the features to make money. The signal owner is the Signal Foundation, which depends on a US-based non-profit organization and donation instead of advertising.
When the US national security news was revealed, the signal head of the signal in the X (previous Twitter) post said, “The signal is the golden criteria for confidential communication.”
This golden standard makes the signal attractive to cyber security experts and journalists. They often use this app. However, such a security level is not enough for high level discussion on high levels of national security.
This is because there is an essential risk of communicating through mobile phones. It is just dependent on the user's safety.
If someone can enter your phone, where the signal is open or if they know your password, they can view your message.
Privacy can also be disrupted in the use of phones in public areas.
Data expert Caro Robson says it is 'very unusual' that high -ranking security officials will contact a messaging platform like the signal.
He added that devices are usually kept in 'very safe government controlled' for such communication.
The US government has historically used sensitive sensitive information facility (SCIF, which is pronounced as 'skif') to discuss national security. Skiff is an additional safe surrounding area where private electronic devices are prohibited.
Specialist Robson said, “To access such confidential information, you need to be in a specific room or building that is regularly tested for defects or a listening device.
Skiffs are found in different places. For example: from the military base to the residence of the officers.
“The whole system is extremely encrypted and protected by using its own highest cryptography criteria,” he said. Especially when defense issues are involved. '
Encryption and records
Like many other messaging apps, signal users give users the opportunity to delete the message after a certain time.
Jeffrey Goldberg, Atlantic, says some message from the group he joined was disappearing a week later.
However, it creates problems in many cases.
As: This feature may violate the record of record-conscience. If users do not forward their messages to any official official account, the important record may be lost.
However, there are concerns in various administrations with E2 EE features. Because they want the messaging services to be used to and encryption, but they can read those messages. They demanded the benefit of the national security.
Signals, WhatsApp and other apps have resisted such backdoor attempts to create. Because they claim, this benefit can end the abusers in the end.
The signal threatened to close the app in the UK in 2021. They say that if lawmakers in the UK try to damage the app's security, this step will be taken.
This year, the UK government became involved in an important dispute with Apple. Apple E2 EE (END to ENII) Technology protects users' files in its cloud storage. However, the UK government wanted to access the information stored through that feature. As a result, Apple was eventually forced to remove that feature in the UK.
This legal case is still underway. However, if you share your secret information with the wrong person, then privacy will not be protected through security or legal protection at any level.
