The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has launched a criminal investigation into group chats used by Minneapolis protesters on the Signal messaging app, according to a statement released Monday by FBI director Kash Patel. The investigation stems from a social media post alleging concerning communications within these groups.

Patel's announcement, made public on Monday, indicated that the FBI is scrutinizing the content of these Signal chats. The specific nature of the social media post that prompted the investigation was not detailed in the announcement. Signal is an encrypted messaging app known for its privacy features, which makes accessing and analyzing its content challenging.

The Minneapolis protests referenced likely relate to demonstrations that occurred following the death of George Floyd in May 2020. These protests, at times, involved clashes with law enforcement and raised concerns about public safety and potential illegal activity. The FBI's involvement suggests a belief that the group chats may contain evidence of criminal behavior.

While Patel announced the investigation, details regarding the scope and potential charges remain unclear. The FBI will likely need to obtain warrants or legal authorization to access the Signal chat data, given the app's encryption protocols. The investigation is ongoing, and further information is expected to be released as it develops. The focus of the investigation is specifically on the Signal group chats used by Minneapolis protesters, not the app itself or its users in general.