New York City officials violated state record-keeping rules through the use of a secret, auto-deleting Signal chat intended to coordinate with social media influencers, according to an admission from the mayor's top attorney. Chief Counsel Ramzi Kassem stated that "corrective actions" were taken once the administration became aware that the message thread was configured to automatically delete messages.
The communications were reportedly managed by Emilia Rowland, director of new media and cultural communications for the NYC Mayor's Office, who earns a $175,000 annual salary. The New York Times reported that the chat's settings were configured for messages to erase shortly after they were sent. Critics and government watchdogs argue that the use of self-destructing messages contravenes state law requiring the maintenance of public records and raises concerns about the administration's efforts to shape public opinion.
City Councilman Phil Wong is spearheading legislation to establish guidelines for the city government's engagement with influencers, following revelations that Mamdani's staff used the private chat to disseminate talking points to online personalities. Wong characterized the situation as a significant scandal, stating that the administration's dismissal of the issue as a "faux scandal" exacerbates the problem. He further criticized the use of taxpayer funds and government resources for what he described as a "propaganda machine."
This situation echoes past controversies involving New York public officials and record-keeping. Former Mayor Bill de Blasio was compelled to release emails with private advisors in 2017 following a lawsuit. Additionally, former Governor Andrew Cuomo and his staff faced scrutiny for utilizing BlackBerry smartphones to circumvent the creation of digital records.
Criminal attorney Cory H. Morris, who specializes in public records violation lawsuits, suggested that the use of encrypted messaging applications like Signal, known for its disappearing message feature, implies an intent to conceal communications. "They are trying to evade the records law by using something that destroys the records, or for that matter, that doesn’t keep a record," Morris stated.
Watchdogs at Reinvent Albany expressed mixed views on the city's use of influencers, acknowledging their potential effectiveness in promoting programs but emphasizing the need for voluntary disclosure of such collaborations. They also cautioned against the use of instant messaging apps like Signal for official communications due to transparency concerns.
John Kaehny, executive director of Reinvent Albany, suggested that City Hall officials may be exhibiting inexperience rather than malice. "I tend at this point not to see anything nefarious at all with the Mamdani City Hall, but it is, at best, a lack of professionalism and lack of basic standards and training, and it’s very sloppy," he said. Kaehny added that continued use of such platforms could shift the perception from inexperience to a deliberate attempt at secrecy, warning that the "we're new" excuse will not remain viable indefinitely.