National Security Minister on Validation of WhatsApp Messages: “There was none. I trust the General”
Michael Peyrefitte
Following the minister’s presentation they fielded questions from the press. One of the main points covered today was the issue of usage of cell-phone during the message. According to the Minister’s presentation, communication on the day of the mission was all done on cell phone through WhatsApp messages. Now, the content of those messages, we may never know because the ministry is not releasing those as they cite concerns of national security. The issue with WhatsApp messaging is that it can’t be verified by a third party because WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption ensures that only the sender and the receiver can have access to the messages. Here’s how the Minister of National Security responded to those queries.
Reporter
“Was it by regular text or a combination of regular text and WhatsApp?”
Michael Peyrefitte, Minister of National Security
“Yes.”
Reporter
“No regular text messages?”
Michael Peyrefitte
“Not that we can see.”
Reporter
“Talk to us about protocols and use of WhatsApp in operations?”
Michael Peyrefitte
“Well, that is what we use; what we can afford to use. We can’t afford the level of equipment that has us at that level of technology that we can operate or communicate at a level that we would want. We have to do with what we have. Based on what the resources that are placed in the Ministry of National Security, that is all that we could afford to do. The report would also tell you serious limitations that we have when we go on missions but we do what we can under the circumstances. That is why, ultimately, the decision to fly or operate on a technical basis rests with those technical people.”
Reporter
“How would you independently validate WhatsApp messages?”
Michael Peyrefitte
“I don’t know about you but I am the only – I can understand completely why you wouldn’t trust me because I am a politician and a lawyer – not two things that go with trust these days but the rest of the people at this table – what you are implying is that when the General turned over his phone for this investigation and showed us his communication, you are telling me that you don’t have any level of trust in the General? The head of the Belizean army? You don’t have any trust?”
Reporter
“The question is: what is the independent validation, sir?”
Michael Peyrefitte
“I trust the general and we will go with that.”
Reporter
“The trust of the General comes from the independent validation of the messaging system? What is the independent validation measure of the WhatsApp messages?”
Michael Peyrefitte
“There was none. I trust the general.”
