Federal workers in the United States are growing increasingly wary of using popular social media and messaging platforms, fearing that their conversations may be monitored or leaked to the government. As a result, many are turning to encrypted messaging apps like Signal to protect their communications.

The shift in behavior comes as federal employees face growing pressure from the Trump administration, which has sought to remake the federal government in its image. With tech giants like Meta, Google, and Apple's Tim Cook cozying up to the administration, federal workers are becoming increasingly suspicious of these companies' intentions. Many fear that their data could be used against them, citing instances like Meta's decision to turn over unencrypted chat logs to law enforcement in 2022.

In response, federal workers are taking matters into their own hands. Multiple employees who spoke to The Verge on the condition of anonymity revealed that they have moved sensitive conversations from text messages and Facebook Messenger to Signal. The app's end-to-end encryption ensures that only the sender and recipient can read the messages, making it a more secure option for those who want to keep their communications private.

The level of distrust is so high that some federal workers are even asking colleagues to avoid contacting them on platforms like Facebook Messenger, instead opting for Signal or other secure channels. One worker expressed fear that their data could be fed into artificial intelligence tools to identify people who disagree with the administration, highlighting the sense of unease that pervades the federal workforce.

Even day-to-day communication in work channels has become more guarded, with employees exercising greater caution in their online interactions. The atmosphere of mistrust has become so pervasive that some workers are changing their display names to remain anonymous, fearing that someone could screenshot their messages and compromise their identity.

Privacy experts have long warned about the risks of relying on tech companies to protect user data. Andrew Crocker, surveillance litigation director at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, notes that law enforcement agencies have found ways to circumvent legal safeguards, using administrative subpoenas and national security letters to obtain user data. The importance of strong privacy and security measures, such as default end-to-end encryption, cannot be overstated.

The trend is not limited to federal workers, with online forums like r/fednews sharing security tips and warnings about the risks of being monitored. As the tech industry continues to grapple with issues of privacy and security, the exodus of federal workers to encrypted messaging apps like Signal serves as a stark reminder of the need for greater transparency and accountability.

With over 3 million federal employees in the United States, the shift towards encrypted messaging apps could have significant implications for the way people communicate and interact online. As the boundaries between personal and professional life continue to blur, it remains to be seen how tech companies will respond to the growing demand for greater privacy and security.