NSA Previously Warned Jared Kushner, White House Officials Against Using Personal Email

After it was revealed President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and other White House aides used their personal email for work purposes, a Politico report on Friday said the National Security Agency had previously warned against doing so.

NSA officials advised White Officials officials against using personal email accounts and cellphones over concerns of espionage by Russia, China, Iran or others.

The NSA warned aides in classified briefings shortly after Trump was sworn in as president in January. The warning came before White House officials, including Kushner, used their cellphones and personal emails for work.

In the briefings, NSA officials said cyber criminals could use sophisticated malware to turn personal gadgets into listening devices, or take photos and videos without the user knowing about it. Foreign spies could also transfer stolen data via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, the NSA reportedly warned.

NSA officials told White House aides that they should assume that their private email accounts have already been hacked by cyberspies. They also warned that the use of personal devices for White House business, such as transferring files and emails from one system to another, could give foreign spies access to their work computer and email accounts.

Politico’s source said Reince Priebus, Trump’s former chief of staff, as well as Homeland Security adviser Tom Bossert attended the classified meeting. Kushner and other officials were also expected to take part of the briefing.

Kushner, a senior adviser, works on issues regarding China, Syria, Middle East peace, Afghanistan, innovation, infrastructure and other issues. If hackers were to break into his email and cell phone, adversaries could steal information related those areas. Kushner reportedly uses his personal email and White House email account to communicate with other senior officials, outside advisers and to discuss media coverage and event planning, as well as other topics.

Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., and Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., wrote a letter to Kushner and his attorney when learning he had used his personal email for White House business. The Senators said they were “concerned” Kushner failed to disclose his use of private email during a closed interview with the Senate intelligence committee earlier this year, according to CNN.

“The Committee was concerned to learn of this additional email account from the news media, rather than from you, in your closed staff interview,” they said. “Please confirm that the document production that you made to the committee -- and any and all search of email accounts for that document production -- included the additional ‘personal email account’ described to the news media, as well as all other email accounts messaging apps, or similar communications channels you may have used.”

The revelation of Kushner’s use of personal email for White House matters comes after Trump repeatedly criticized former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for her use of a private email server.