Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media: Intense US efforts are being made to resolve differences, such as the issue of the Israeli presence on Mount Hermon and in southern Syria
Israeli media: The security agreement means amending the disengagement agreement, which will also address the Druze issue
Israeli media: Attempts to reach a security agreement between 'Israel' and Syria were among the topics discussed at the Paris meeting
Israeli media: Sheikh Muwaffaq Tarif rejected a US proposal to join the recent tripartite meeting between Tom Barrack, al-Shaibani, and Dermer
Saba News Agency: Two martyred, five injured in a preliminary toll of the Israeli aggression on the Yemeni Oil Company station on Al-Sitteen Street in Sanaa
Senior Yemeni military source to Al Mayadeen: We observed a state of confusion among the enemy's aircraft squadron after Yemeni air defenses intercepted the attack
Senior Yemeni military source to Al Mayadeen: The Yemeni air defense forces succeeded in neutralizing a squadron of enemy aircraft and prevented airstrikes on some governorates
Senior Yemeni military source to Al Mayadeen: Our air defenses and missile forces forced a formation of enemy aircraft to flee the airspace
Member of the Ansar Allah Political Bureau, Mohammed al-Bukhaiti: The Israeli aggression on Yemen will not deter us from continuing to support Gaza, no matter the sacrifices
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Israeli aggression targeted the Yemeni Oil Company station on Al-Sitteen Street, southwest of the capital, Sanaa, with several raids

Pentagon probes Hegseth’s use of ‘dirty’ internet line

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Associated Press
  • 25 Apr 2025 08:42
4 Min Read

The US defense secretary used an unsecured internet line in his Pentagon office to access the Signal app, raising alarms over military communications security and potential breaches.

Listen
  • x
  • Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth listens as President Donald Trump meets with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre during a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Washington. (AP ) US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth listens as President Donald Trump meets with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre during a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Washington. (AP)

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly had an unsecured internet connection in his Pentagon office to access the Signal messaging app on a personal computer, according to the Associated Press, citing two sources familiar with the matter.

The setup of this so-called “dirty” internet line, which bypassed Pentagon security protocols, has raised serious concerns over a potential Pentagon security breach. The revelation adds to growing scrutiny surrounding Hegseth's Signal app use, especially after reports that he shared sensitive military information in private chats.

The line, known in IT circles as a “dirty” connection, is linked directly to the public internet. Unlike the Pentagon’s secured systems, this type of connection lacks strict filters and safeguards, thereby exposing users to hacking and surveillance. While certain Pentagon offices have previously used such lines for specific tasks, their use is typically restricted due to potential national security implications and the risk of violating military communications security protocols.

A senior US official familiar with military network security told AP the key benefit of such a connection is that it allows users to avoid being traced through Department of Defense IP addresses. However, the downside includes a lack of recordkeeping compliance, which is required under federal law.

The two people with knowledge of the matter also told AP that Defense Secretary Hegseth installed the line specifically to use the Signal app. The app became a focal point of concern after it emerged that Hegseth had posted details about a classified airstrike in two chat groups—one that included top national security officials, and another that included his wife and brother.

Related News

US envoy, Netanyahu discuss restraining attacks on Lebanon, withdrawal

Trump's immigration crackdown pushes detentions to record highs

Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell declined to confirm the specifics of Hegseth’s Signal use, stating, “The Secretary has never used and does not currently use Signal on his government computer.” Parnell added that the Secretary’s communications methods are classified.

Support from Trump and senior officials

In a related vein, The New York Times reported last Sunday that Hegseth allegedly shared details about planned US airstrikes on Yemen in a private Signal group chat, which included not only Pentagon colleagues but also his wife, brother, and lawyer. The incident, which took place last month, has fueled accusations of a classified information security breach.

The private chat, according to sources, allowed Hegseth to bypass mobile network issues within his office, coordinating directly with senior officials in President Donald Trump’s administration. The Washington Post has lately noted that this decision stemmed from internal discussions about how to communicate swiftly in areas with poor connectivity.

Signal was approved for limited government use in 2023, but officials are prohibited from sharing classified information via the app, which automatically deletes messages, a practice that conflicts with record-keeping regulations.

The Hegseth communication scandal began when Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, revealed that he was accidentally added to a private Signal chat involving then-upcoming US military strikes against Yemeni territory. Goldberg said the chat included high-level officials such as Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Vice President JD Vance, and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz

Goldberg presented screenshots showing Hegseth discussing aircraft types and strike targets on March 15, just hours before operations against Yemen commenced.

Read more: Republican Congressman supports possible removal of Hegseth

  • United States
  • Pentagon
  • Signal chat
  • US Defense Secretary Hegseth
  • Signal app
  • Pete Hegseth

Most Read

Tom Artiom Alexandrovich, executive director of the defense division of the Israeli National Cyber Directorate, undated (Social media)

Israeli-born US prosecutor drops Israeli officer child sex crime

  • Politics
  • 19 Aug 2025
Displaced Palestinians walk through a makeshift camp along the beach in Gaza City, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025 (AP)

Hamas, other factions accept Egypt-Qatar ceasefire proposal: Exclusive

  • Politics
  • 18 Aug 2025
Palestine will not be liberated by UN reports, but by pursuing a different strategic horizon: one that does not beg for recognition. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Economy of Genocide: Albanese's report accuses, but doesn't dismantle system

  • Opinion
  • 18 Aug 2025
Israeli soldiers stand on the top of armoured vehicles parked on an area near the Israeli-Gaza border, as seen from southern Israel, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025 (AP)

Palestinian fighters target Israeli soldiers, vehicles in Gaza

  • Politics
  • 21 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Travelers arrive at Ben Gurion Airport, a day after the announcement of a ceasefire between "Israel" and Iran, near Tel Aviv, Occupied Palestine, Wednesday, June 25, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Israeli military to arrest draft evaders during September holidays

A US Air Force CV-22 in its turboprop aircraft configuration, photo undated (US Air Force)
US & Canada

US Air Force base linked to toxic PFAS in blood, water, and farms

US Secretary of State Tony Blinken and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after their meeting in Tel Aviv on October 12 2023 (Jacquelyn Martin/AFP via Getty Images)
Palestine

US knew Israeli aggression on Gaza aimed to last decades: Former spox

Palestinian flags flutter in the wind on Dam Square with the Royal Palace of Amsterdam in the background (Paleis op de Dam), in Amsterdam, on November 15, 2024. (Simon Wohlfahrt/AFP)
Europe

Dutch MPs reject recognition of Palestine, measures against 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS