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“This isn’t ‘The Matrix’”
Jeffrey Goldberg, editor of The Atlantic, accidentally joined a Signal group chat with U.S. officials discussing Yemen airstrikes, raising concerns about user privacy. National security adviser Mike Waltz claimed Goldberg's number was automatically added, while Goldberg asserted that it was manually added. Signal's president acknowledged the increased scrutiny on the app amidst this incident.
Key points
- Goldberg was added to a Signal group chat with 17 U.S. officials discussing Yemen airstrikes.
- Mike Waltz stated that Goldberg's number was 'sucked in' from another contact.
- Goldberg refuted this, indicating that phone numbers do not automatically transfer between devices.
- Meredith Whittaker, Signal's president, has not directly commented on the incident but highlighted the importance of secure messaging.
Why it matters
- This incident underscores the ongoing debate about privacy and data security in digital communication platforms.
- It reflects broader concerns about cybersecurity and the protection of sensitive information, especially among government officials.
- As of 2025, there is increasing interest in secure messaging technologies as companies and individuals seek to protect their communications.
The incident exemplifies the complexities of modern digital communications and raises important questions about privacy and security among those using messaging apps in sensitive situations.