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Fact check: Post Title: Hegseth had an unsecured internet line set up in his office to connect to Signal, AP sources say Original Reddit link: https://www.reddit.com/r/signal/s/vOLVtZRG88

Checked on April 25, 2025

1. Summary of the results

The claim about Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's unsecured internet line is strongly supported by multiple independent sources. Multiple analyses confirm that:

  • Hegseth had a "dirty" line installed specifically to use Signal on a personal computer [1] [1]
  • The line deliberately bypassed Pentagon security protocols [2]
  • The setup was confirmed by two separate sources familiar with the situation [3]
  • The unsecured line was installed directly at his desk [3]
  • The matter is currently under investigation by the Defense Department's acting inspector-general [2]

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several crucial pieces of context are missing from the original statement:

  • The Pentagon's official response: They did not directly deny the claim, only stating that Hegseth doesn't use Signal on his government computer [1]
  • The setup potentially violates federal record-keeping laws [2]
  • The line connected directly to the public internet, making it particularly vulnerable to surveillance [3]
  • This wasn't just any unsecured line - it was specifically set up to use Signal, which is not authorized for sensitive communications [1]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement actually understates the severity of the situation by:

  • Not mentioning the ongoing inspector general investigation [2]
  • Omitting the potential legal implications regarding federal record-keeping requirements [2]
  • Not emphasizing that this was an intentional bypass of security protocols rather than an oversight [2]

The consistency across multiple sources (AP, Reuters, ABC) and the specificity of the details suggest this is a well-documented situation rather than speculative reporting. The Pentagon's careful wording in their response - denying only Signal use on government computers rather than addressing the personal computer setup - adds credibility to the reporting [1].

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