State Dept. Gets Defensive Over Device Security: Don’t ‘Take That Tone’

Monica Sanchez | March 12, 2015
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According to State Spokesperson Jen Psaki, federal communications should be carried out under a higher level of security than just an ordinary, personal cellphone, yet “any employee, including the Secretary, is not required to receive a State Department issued Blackberry,” she said. 

When asked why the State Department lacks strict provisions regarding the security of devices being used for official government business, she replied defensively,

“I’m answering your question. There’s no reason to take that tone.”

“Obviously [Hillary Clinton] had a personal device. I can’t speak to what was done on that personal device and what was not. That’s a question I would pose to her team,” Psaki said.  

Former director of litigation at the National Archives and Records Administration Jason R. Baron told The New York Times,

“It is very difficult to conceive of a scenario — short of nuclear winter — where an agency would be justified in allowing its cabinet-level head officer to solely use a private email communications channel for the conduct of government business.” 

In the midst of such a scandal, the State Department must be feeling the heat. 

Watch Spokesperson Psaki's remarks below. 

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