The Hidden Dangers of Signal: Why Law Enforcement Needs a Secure, Transparent Communications Platform that is Accountable?
By Chief Jeff Halstead (Ret.), Director of Strategic Accounts for Genasys, Inc.
A few weeks ago we witnessed an incident where military leaders inadvertently included a reporter in what was supposed to be a closed, secure communication channel, all due to the use of the Signal app. And this week, again Signal was used to communicate sensitive information, where family members were included in what was supposed to be a confidential group chat about strikes in Yemen. While the situation has sparked outrage and concern, it is clear that these mistakes which are entirely preventable, continue to happen. As someone who has spent over three decades in law enforcement, retiring as Chief of Police, and later working in the technology sector to develop a secure communications platform, I’m here to tell you that a reliable, encrypted communications system does in fact exist.
Eight years ago, I partnered with a team of engineers to create a communication platform specifically designed for public safety and government use—one that prioritized security, transparency, and accountability. As a result, we developed Genasys CONNECT, a tool that has proven to be secure, transparent, and accountable for all users, including, law enforcement, public safety agencies, and government operations. The recent Signal incidents have highlighted how critical it is for law enforcement and government agencies to move beyond consumer-grade apps like Signal and invest in platforms that are built with the unique needs of law enforcement in mind.
The Signal Group Chat Leak: A Case for Change
After these two recent incidents, you may have asked: “What is the government supposed to use for secure communications? Does anything exist? How can we prevent this from happening again?” Some have gone as far as to claim there is no secure messaging app that meets the standards for sensitive and classified government communication. But that simply isn’t true.
Had the military and government been using Genasys CONNECT—the platform designed to protect against these types of leaks—the Yemen war plans would not have been exposed. The Atlantic Editor would not have been accidentally added to the discussion. Why? Because the app includes a feature specifically designed to prevent users from mistakenly adding someone into a secure chat. This is just one example of how the platform prioritizes security and accountability.
Why Signal and Other Consumer Apps Aren’t Suitable for Law Enforcement
Signal has become a popular encrypted messaging app, praised for its strong encryption protocols. However, it was not designed with law enforcement, military, or government operations in mind. While Signal is marketed as a tool for secure communication, it is actually an app created to allow users to hide or delete messages. This design flaw has led to it being exploited by criminal organizations—from drug cartels to human traffickers—who use it to evade law enforcement. This is not the platform we want our government officials relying on.
In fact, as estimated 90% of police departments I’ve interacted with have admitted that their SWAT teams, narcotics officers, and gang detectives use Signal. The irony here is that it is illegal for police officers to share Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) data over such unsecured platforms. This raises a significant issue: if our officers are using Signal to communicate about criminal investigations, they are potentially breaking the law and compromising sensitive information. We need to ask ourselves: are we willing to risk our department’s integrity and security on an app that was not designed for lawful use?
The Urgent Need for a Secure, Transparent Communication Platform
What law enforcement leaders need is a communications platform that provides the security, accountability, and transparency necessary to carry out their duties effectively and legally. The message is clear: We need a communication system that is both secure and fully transparent—and fortunately, that system already exists. Enter Genasys CONNECT.
The Consequences of Continuing to Use Consumer Apps
As law enforcement professionals, our mission is to protect the public, uphold the law, and ensure justice. We cannot afford to rely on consumer-grade apps like Signal. The recent failures to securely communicate within military circles serves as a warning for all of us: if we continue using platforms that prioritize ease over security, we are putting ourselves and the communities we serve at risk.
It’s time for law enforcement agencies to stop using Signal and other consumer apps for classified, criminal justice, or sensitive operational communication. These platforms were created with no regard for the legal and regulatory requirements that govern law enforcement.
Conclusion
For law enforcement, secure communication is not just a matter of efficiency—it’s a matter of legal and ethical responsibility. There is no need for law enforcement to rely on consumer apps when solutions like Genasys CONNECT already exist to provide the high level of security and accountability our profession demands.
As we move forward, we must demand better tools—tools that ensure our communications remain secure, legally compliant, and fully transparent. It’s time for law enforcement agencies to make the switch.
