Tulsi Gabbard may have just added to Signal app controversy

United States' Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard testified Wednesday that Signal, an encrypted messaging app previously deemed problematic, now comes "pre-installed" on government devices. During the House Intelligence Committee's annual worldwide threats hearing, Gabbard highlighted guidance from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recommending "highly targeted individuals" use end-to-end encrypted communications. "They named Signal as an app as an example of such an end-to-end encrypted messaging app," she told committee members.
The testimony comes on the heels of a recent controversy, where The Atlantic's editor was added to a group chat on the Signal app, in which top Trump officials were using the app to plan a strike on Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen.

Previously, Signal faced significant resistance from government agencies. The Defense Department's Inspector General had condemned Pentagon officials for using the app in 2021, and the National Security Agency had warned employees about its potential vulnerabilities.
The context of this shift is critical: a major breach by the Chinese hacking group Salt Typhoon last year compromised phones of top US officials, including President Donald Trump and JD Vance. CISA's December guidance appears to be a direct response to these security challenges.
In a further twist, Gabbard acknowledged a potential misstep involving The Atlantic's editor being added to a sensitive Signal chat, though she was limited in discussing details due to an ongoing lawsuit.