The Lawfare Podcast Lawfare Daily: Shane Harris Talks ‘Houthi PC Small Group’
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Mar 26, 2025 
Shane Harris, a national security and intelligence reporter for The Atlantic, dives into the intricate world of military communication. He highlights the precarious nature of using apps like Signal for planning operations, emphasizing security lapses from previous administrations. The discussion reveals the strategic role of the 'Houthi PC Small Group' in military coordination and examines the challenges journalists face when reporting sensitive information. Throughout the conversation, ethical considerations and the impact on national security are critically explored, shedding light on the delicate dance of transparency and responsibility.
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Houthi PC Small Group Incident
- The National Security Advisor, Michael Waltz, created a Signal group called "Houthi PC Small Group" to coordinate military actions in Yemen.
- This group included high-ranking officials like the Secretary of Defense and CIA Director, and accidentally included journalist Jeffrey Goldberg.
Signal Security Risks
- Using Signal for classified military operations is problematic due to several security risks.
- These include accidental additions of unauthorized individuals, device vulnerability, and portability to unsecured environments.
Three Signal Vulnerabilities
- Signal's security is compromised by three main factors.
- These are accidental inclusion of unauthorized users, device vulnerabilities, and the app's portability, increasing risk in unsecured environments.