Washington, D.C. — An app called Signal is at the top of the charts on both the Apple Store and the Google Play Store.
Signal is an end-to-end encrypted messaging app that promises to protect the private messaging data of its users. The app is praised by privacy experts for its independence and overall security.
Signal is not a normal text messaging app. Here are a few things you need to know:
Signal’s recent popularity stems from privacy concerns from their competitors
Signal’s top competitor is a messaging app called WhatsApp, which at one point was the standard-bearer for encrypted messaging. That is, until 2014 when Facebook acquired the app.
Facebook is proven to be unreliable with information. Facebook regularly sells their clients’ data to companies and governments all over the world, a practice that actually drew them some heat over the last few years.
WhatsApp recently updated their terms and conditions, which now forces users to share their messaging data with their parent company, Facebook.
Signal is independently operated and crowdsource funded. They, themselves, do not have access to any of the content that sent through the app.
Signal is backed by Whistleblower Edward Snowden (and Elon Musk)
One of the early supporters of Signal was government whistleblower Edward Snowden.
Snowden has publically advocated for Signal for years, crediting it as one of the reasons why he’s still alive.
If Signal is secure enough for someone who is pursued by the United States Government, it is probably secure enough for the average consumer.
The richest man in the world, Elon Musk, also apparently uses Signal for his communications.
After the WhatsApp debacle, he simply tweeted, “Use Signal.”
The app is also trusted by many journalists and politicians.
Downloads for Signal have gone up over 5000% in the last month
The last month has been a wild ride for Signal. The massive influx of downloads actually crashed the system for a short time, but don’t let that dismay you.
Signal’s servers were flooded with their newfound popularity. Downloads skyrocketed in a way that is completely unprecedented for any messaging app.
Signal can replace your default messaging app
When Signal is used to communicate with other Signal users, the content of the messaging is completely secure from prying eyes – but what if you want to message someone who doesn’t have the app?
Well, it still works. Signal is capable of sending SMS and MMS texts to any phone number, just as your standard messaging app does.
The data on the default messaging apps on your iPhone or Android phone is in the hands of the companies that created the apps, Apple and Google, respectively. Your cell phone providers, such as Verizon and T-Mobile, also often have access to that data. Both of these companies suffered massive data breaches over the last few years.
Don’t trust Apple, Google, or your cell phone company with your data? Signal is an alternative.
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