+

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

Business Insider India has updated its Privacy and Cookie policy. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the better experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we\'ll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the Business Insider India website. However, you can change your cookie setting at any time by clicking on our Cookie Policy at any time. You can also see our Privacy Policy.

Close
HomeQuizzoneWhatsappShare Flash Reads
 

A White House staffer left a piece of paper with his encrypted email password at a bus stop in Washington, DC

Mar 18, 2018, 02:06 IST

Advertisement
&quotBus Stop," by Chinese activist artist Ai Weiwei, one of his &quotGood Fences Make Good Neighbors" installations, is shown in New York's Harlem neighborhood, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017Richard Drew/AP

A White House staffer wrote down his passwords for an encrypted email service on White House stationary and left it at a bus stop in DC, The Intercept reported Saturday. 

The piece of paper was found by a source who provided it to The Intercept, which verified its authenticity.

The email information on the stationary included log-in credentials for staffer Ryan McAvoy's ProtonMail account. ProtonMail is an end-to-end encryption email service often used by journalists, people in politics, and others who regularly handle sensitive information.

It is unclear whether the blunder compromised any sensitive information.

The revelation comes as the White House is in the midst of a massive staff shakeup. Earlier this month, a number of West Wing staffers had their employment terminated or were reassigned because of pending issues with their security clearance forms.

Advertisement

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump is also reportedly planning to reshuffle individuals in the top ranks of his administration. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was fired last week and CIA director Mike Pompeo was tapped to take his spot. Trump selected deputy CIA director Gina Haspel to assume leadership of the agency following Pompeo's departure. National security adviser H.R. McMaster, Veterans Affairs secretary David Shulkin, and Housing and Urban Development secretary Ben Carson are rumored to be the next officials who will be shown the door. 

NOW WATCH: The story behind Russia's smear campaign against Syria's White Helmets

You are subscribed to notifications!
Looks like you've blocked notifications!
Next Article