Auto Deleting Signal Messages

April 3, 2025

What Happened

The Mayor and his office admitted to using the messaging app Signal with auto-deleting messages.

What Should Have Been Done

Use the city provided messaging services that keep records so communication by public officials can be discovered in CORA requests.

---
title: "Auto Deleting Signal Messages"
date: 2025-04-03
category: transparency
sources:
  - url: "https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/mike-johnston-signal-denver-mayor-auto-deleting-messages-aurora-transparency/"
    title: "Mike Johnston's administration acknowledges auto-deleting Signal messages on another internal group, Aurora mayor says Denver mayor \"not being transparent\""
  - url: "https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/encrypted-messaging-app-denver-mayor-mike-johnston-signal-delete-conversations/"
    title: "Denver mayor and staff used encryption app to discuss migrant crisis, then auto-deleted messages. Trump policies prompted move, says spokesperson"
alternativeSources:
  - url: "https://denvergov.org/Open-Records-CORA"
    title: "Denver and CORA"
---

## What Happened

The Mayor and his office admitted to using the messaging app Signal with auto-deleting messages.

## What Should Have Been Done

Use the city provided messaging services that keep records so communication by public officials can be discovered in CORA requests.