The recent airstrike chat leak has brought renewed attention to the risks of digital communications, particularly the forensic traceability of messaging platforms. For attorneys handling litigation, investigations, or compliance matters, understanding how secure messaging apps store, retain, and expose data is essential, especially as encrypted communications become standard practice in corporate, legal, and governmental settings. 

One of the most frequently discussed platforms is Signal, often regarded as the gold standard for private communication. While its end-to-end encryption and minimal metadata retention make it far more secure than alternatives like WhatsApp, Telegram, or Microsoft Teams, the notion that Signal leaves no forensic trace is a misconception. In legal and forensic contexts, the reality is more nuanced. If a full file system image is obtained using tools like Magnet Graykey™ or Magnet Verakey™, and the keychain is extracted, the Signal database can be decrypted, allowing access to active (non-disappearing) messages, calls, and attachments.

This article explores how Signal compares to other messaging platforms, what forensic artifacts can be recovered, and why legal teams should carefully assess how confidential communications are handled.

Messaging platforms and forensic considerations

Signal vs. other messaging platforms

Feature	Signal	WhatsApp	Telegram	Microsoft Teams
End-to-End Encryption (E2EE)	Always on	On by default	Optional (secret chats only)	Not on by default
Message Storage	Device-only (unless extracted with keychain)	Device & cloud backups	Device & cloud (non-secret chats)	Cloud-based, admin-controlled
Metadata Logging	Minimal (last online only)	Stores sender/receiver, timestamps	Stores sender/receiver, timestamps	Extensive logs, accessible to admins
Message Retention	Disappearing messages available	Cloud backups (if enabled)	Logs persist unless deleted	Retained by organization
Forensic Recoverability	Possible if full file system image & keychain obtained	Full chat logs retrievable	Partial chat logs retrievable	Full conversation history retrievable

Forensic recovery of Signal data: What is possible?

Despite Signal’s strong encryption and security features, forensic practitioners can decrypt its database under specific conditions:

With standard forensic extraction methods (logical, partial file system imaging)

Recoverable artifacts:

• App installation logs
• Last active timestamps
• Push notification logs (temporary message previews may persist on Android)

 Not recoverable:

• Message content (remains encrypted)
• Call history (not stored in standard call logs)
• Contacts and chat history (never stored on Signal servers)

With full file system imaging (Magnet Graykey™, Magnet Verakey™) and keychain extraction

Decrypted artifacts:

• Active (non-disappearing) messages
• Call logs
• Attachments (images, videos, files)
• Contact information (names/numbers associated with chats)

Still not recoverable:

• Disappearing messages (deleted at operating system level if expired before acquisition)
• Cloud backups (Signal does not store these)

TAKEAWAY

While Signal minimizes forensic traces under normal conditions, if the full file system is imaged and the keychain is decrypted, the Signal database becomes accessible, making it as recoverable as other encrypted messaging apps for active messages.

Conclusion

Forensic recovery of Signal data: What is possible?

The leak of military airstrike discussions highlights operational security (OPSEC) failures and the risks of using messaging platforms that leave forensic footprints. Forensic recovery would have been significantly limited if these communications had taken place on Signal with disappearing messages enabled.

From a forensic standpoint, this case underscores:

✔ The importance of understanding keychain security: Without it, even encrypted messaging apps are vulnerable to forensic analysis.

✔ Why disappearing messages matter: Standard extractions can miss ephemeral data, but full file system images do not.

✔ The dangers of cloud backups: Most platforms allow cloud storage, which exposes conversations to remote access and subpoenas.

✔ Operational security failures: Poor messaging hygiene can compromise even encrypted conversations.

Key takeaways for forensic investigators

1. Signal is not immune to forensic recovery – with a full file system image and extracted keychain, investigators can decrypt messages, calls, and attachments.
2. Platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Teams retain far more forensic evidence in cloud backups and accessible databases.
3. Disappearing messages remain the best countermeasure against forensic recovery – if they expired before the acquisition, they are effectively gone.
4. Investigators must educate clients on secure communication practices – understanding forensic limitations can enhance investigative techniques and OPSEC for high-risk users.

The airstrike chat leak was preventable. Understanding the forensic recoverability of messaging apps is crucial – not just for forensic practitioners but for anyone handling classified, sensitive, or high-risk communications.

Contact

Please contact us if you would like to discuss secure communication analysis or forensic extraction techniques or visit our website for more information about our Digital Forensics and Data Solutions services.

About the authors

Michael Bandemer has more than 20 years of experience leading the preservation, forensic collection, analysis, and search of electronically stored information (ESI) and forensic artifacts in more than 1,000 matters ranging from corporate/federal investigations to commercial litigation. He has provided expert witness and strategic consulting services to law firms and corporate clients in the areas of computer forensics, investigations, electronic discovery, data analytics, and data privacy/data breaches. 

View Michael’s Expert Centre profile here.

Geo Brown has over 25 years of experience in information technology and more than 18 years of experience in digital forensic collection and analysis, data analytics, investigations, and electronic discovery. He has opined, directed, managed, and conducted in-depth analyses on hundreds of complex matters in various industries. Geo’s strategic guidance and comprehensive analysis have assisted clients in safeguarding their intellectual property, maintaining competitive advantages, and navigating intricate legal and business landscapes.

View Geo’s Expert Centre profile here.

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