Existing signal users may receive more notifications than usual. ‘Jack is on Signal’, ‘Cathy is on Signal’, ‘Miriam is on Signal’, and these are all phone contacts that connect to the secure messaging application.
These pings reflect the fact that there was an influx of new users. Known for its end-to-end encryption and independent structure as a non-profit organization run by a foundation – not a large technology company – Signal was previously the choice of communication for activists, people in the hacker- community and other stakeholders. about privacy.
Recently it has been mainstream.
Recently, Facebook-owned WhatsApp, which is end-to-end encrypted using Signal’s protocols, issued a privacy update notice to users to make it clear that it shares user data with Facebook (which it has been doing for years) ). This led people elsewhere to search for a secure communication app, aided by Elon Musk’s tweet on Jan. 7, which simply states, “Use signal.”
Over the past three years, Signal has also invested in more infrastructure and features to support users. This is a good thing: Signal first saw an increase in users in the spring when people who took part in anti-racist protests surrounding the murder of George Floyd realized how law enforcement is watching them and asking companies to use user data hand over. It has only become more popular since then. As of this writing, Signal is at the top of the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, and the two-factor authentication on-board system slowed even briefly on Thursday because so many people were trying to sign up.
So, are you thinking of joining Signal? In short: if you care about privacy, it’s a good idea. Here’s what you need to know.
OK, so what’s Signal?
Signal is a free, privacy-oriented app for messaging and voice calls that you can use on Apple and Android smartphones and via a computer. All you need is a phone number to connect. You can make SMS or voice or video calls with friends, either one-on-one or in groups, and use emoji responses or stickers, just like in other apps. But there is one big difference: Signal is actually really private.
Is the Signal app secure?
Communication on signal is encrypted end-to-end, which means that only the people in the messages can see the content of the messages – not even the company itself. Even sticker packs get their own special coding.
Signal has created the encryption protocol (basically the technical way you implement it) that other businesses use including WhatsApp and Skype. This is clearly the gold standard of privacy.
Is Signal really private?
Yes – and privacy goes beyond the fact that the content of your messages is encrypted. You can make the messages disappear after certain customizable time frames. Plus, Signal collects virtually no data about its users. The only information you provide to the app is your phone number, and the company is even working on how to disconnect Signal by creating encrypted contact servers. If the police call on Signal for data about its users, it’s telling the truth that it has no data to hand over.
Part of the reason it does not collect data is because Signal is a non-profit organization, not a for-profit enterprise. It has no advertising, so no incentive to track users. Instead, it is funded by grants and private investors, one of whom has had a huge personal interest in making a privacy-oriented platform. Although a small group of privacy activists created Signal in 2013, it has grown over the past few years. In 2018, WhatsApp founder Brian Acton donated $ 50 million to create the Signal Foundation, which now manages Signal. Acton came on board with the mission to provide a true private messaging service after Facebook acquired WhatsApp and Acton apparently left the company amid clashes with Facebook over how it defends WhatsApp’s privacy.
Signal to WhatsApp (and other messaging apps).
Both Signal and WhatsApp are end-to-end encrypted with the same technology. This means that the content of the messages you send and of your calls is private. However, Facebook collects a lot of other information in the form of usage statistics, metadata, and more. And there is no longer a way to exclude.
Signal does not have as many fine-tuning features as WhatsApp, such as wallpapers. But when it comes to true privacy, there is no comparison.
You can see here a complete list of alternative messaging services owned by Facebook.
Another app that is increasing in popularity is Telegram. Telegram says it’s also about privacy, but it actually has a lot of disadvantages. Messages on Telegram are not really encrypted end-to-end. The fact that private groups are unlimited in size can be added via a link and not explicitly moderated, it has a focus on toxic and illegal content, such as terrorism and revenge porn (also known as non-consensual pornography). The signal also does not moderate the content, but it limits groups to 1,000 and is more about communicating with people who are real contacts than joining groups of strangers like on WhatsApp and Telegram.
Where to download Signal
You can find Signal in Apple’s App Store or in the Google Play Store. It is currently very easy to find as it sits at the top of the Free Apps graph.