It’s the digital security training team at Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF), with security news that keeps you, your sources, and your devices safe. If someone shared this newsletter with you, please subscribe here.

In the news

Social platform X has previously blocked links to Instagram, Mastodon, and other competitors. Over this past weekend, it went on to temporarily block links to Signal, the encrypted messaging app. For about two days, links to Signal.me — Signal’s website for shortcut links to Signal profiles — could not be delivered in messages, posts, or in user bios. Users who attempted to click existing links were met with warnings that they may be attempting to visit a malicious website. As of Feb. 18, it appears the restrictions on Signal links have been lifted. As TechCrunch points out, amid changes targeting federal personnel under Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, Signal is popular among federal workers seeking to speak to journalists about the Trump administration’s activities.

What you can do

  • While we’re glad to see the block has been lifted, this is a reminder to set up a Signal username that will be harder to block and easier for you to share with sources. Read our guide to locking down Signal to learn more about how to set this up.
  • Within the Signal mobile app, you can optionally use Signal.me links by clicking on your user icon at the top left and pressing your name again. From here you can access the “QR Code or Link” to share a link. Once your username is set up, it will also appear alongside your QR code. 

Updates from our team

  • Reminder: We're hiring a senior digital security trainer to help us grow our capacity to promote digital security education for journalists. Our office is based in New York, New York. Strong U.S.-based, remote candidates will also be considered. If this sounds like you, or if you know someone who you think would be great, please check out the job post.

Our team is always ready to assist journalists with digital security concerns. Reach out here, and stay safe and secure out there.

Best,
Martin

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Martin Shelton
Deputy Director of Digital Security
Freedom of the Press Foundation