Facepalm: Signal likes to present itself as the most private and secure messaging service around, but the nonprofit likely didn’t design the app for sharing classified plans regarding imminent military action. Yet earlier this month, senior U.S. government and military officials did just that. Signal’s president later defended the service amid renewed comparisons to WhatsApp.
Signal president Meredith Whittaker reiterated the messaging service’s commitment to secure encryption and privacy after top government officials reportedly discussed a classified military operation using the platform. The conversation, which included highly sensitive information, was leaked when the U.S. national security advisor accidentally invited The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief into the chat.
Jeff Goldberg, editor of The Atlantic, said he didn’t believe he’d been invited to an online meeting about upcoming attacks on the Houthis in Yemen – until the strikes occurred just hours after being mentioned in the chatroom.
I wouldn’t say that Will and I are battling but I do disagree. Because there are big differences between Signal and WhatsApp.
Signal is the gold standard in private comms. We’re open source, nonprofit, and we develop and apply e2ee and privacy preserving tech across our system… https://t.co/ZU60z2vVHy
– Meredith Whittaker (@mer__edith) March 25, 2025
During the exchange, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, Vice President J.D. Vance, and other senior officials reportedly discussed specific targets, weaponry, and other sensitive details. Goldberg declined to publish those specifics, citing concerns about endangering military and intelligence personnel. A national security spokesperson later confirmed the authenticity of the message chain.
Beyond the sensitive information shared, the messages also revealed candid insights into the officials’ private opinions and communication styles. Vice President Vance reportedly expressed disagreement with President Trump over the strikes, arguing that they benefited Europe more than the U.S
After the operation, several officials celebrated with emojis, including a fist, a flexed bicep, an American flag, and a flame.
While U.S. officials often use Signal for routine communication, the app is not authorized for transmitting classified information. Such discussions are typically conducted on secure devices within protected facilities. Legal experts suggested that sharing classified details over Signal – particularly with the service configured to erase messages – may have violated the Espionage Act.
President Trump later defended the use of Signal, saying it was the best tool available at the time, as accessing secure facilities can be cumbersome.
In response to comparisons with WhatsApp, Whittaker emphasized Signal’s end-to-end encryption and privacy-first approach. The company also minimizes the amount of data it can disclose under subpoena.
By contrast, she pointed out that while WhatsApp uses Signal’s encryption technology under license, it does not protect metadata, contact lists, user IDs, or profile photos. Despite Signal’s encryption safeguards, devices using the app remain vulnerable to hacking and theft. The incident with Goldberg also highlights the persistent danger of human error.