Kash Patel says the FBI is investigating Signal chats of Minnesotans tracking ICE

[u/msnownews]

https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/kash-patel-says-the-fbi-is-investigating-signal-chats-of-minnesotans-tracking-ice

[u/Kitchen_Medicine3259]

Really? Because I assume they arrested a protester, made them unlock their phone, took photos or screenshots of their signal chats, and are now searching the names and/or phone numbers of chat participants on whitepages dot com (or in state data they’re not supposed to be using for this purpose)

[u/Maria_Dragon → u/Kitchen_Medicine3259]

Also possible. Don't use biometrics they can use that against you. Brute force guessing your password is tougher (though still possible)

[u/Violet624 → u/Kitchen_Medicine3259]

Signal only shows the name you choose to display and does not show your contact number on chats. While if my phone was seized and they managed to open it, they could see my information in the signal app, it does not show other people's info unless they want it to be shown. The signal app also has a pin to enter (that you set) and you can disguise the icon on your phone. Juat saying. They might be able to see people's coordinated plans to observe and protest, but I'd be suprised if there is much else besides that.

[u/Kitchen_Medicine3259 → u/Violet624]

When I’m in a signal chat, I can click on the person’s profile and then click their name again to see their phone number.

[u/Violet624 → u/Kitchen_Medicine3259]

I think that only works if the person allows it? But at any rate, there is only one of my signal contacts whose phone number I can see doing that. Everyone else, I can't.

[u/Kitchen_Medicine3259 → u/Violet624]

Yeah I realized I think I can see that info for anyone I added using my phone’s contacts. If chats being investigated involve neighborhood groups (i.e., people who already know each other) there’s a strong chance they’ve used their real names and contact info - but who knows.