Venmo Privacy Fiasco: Politicians’ Public Friend Lists Expose National Security Risks
Michael Waltz’s Venmo account was public until recently, revealing a who’s who of his personal and professional network—perfect for spies and nosy neighbors alike. From military officers to journalists, it was like LinkedIn’s less formal cousin, but with more emojis and potential national security breaches.
Hot Take:
Oh, Venmo, sweet Venmo, the social media app disguised as a payment platform. It seems the national security elite have been treating it like a game of “Who Wants to Be a Public Figure?” with friends lists open for all to see. Who knew making a payment could be as risky as a game of Russian roulette?
Key Points:
- Michael Waltz’s Venmo account was public, exposing connections to high-profile figures and potential national security risks.
- Key figures in the US government, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, had their Venmo friend lists visible.
- The incident highlights a pattern of careless online behavior among senior officials.
- Venmo’s privacy settings are opt-in, not default, leading to potential exposure of sensitive connections.
- Experts warn of the significant counterintelligence risks posed by such public exposure.
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