Is the signal safe? How secure is this privacy-friendly chat app? (2024)

Signal is one of the best messaging apps todaymore than 40 million active users. It is the messaging app of choice for journalists, activists, cybersecurity experts andpeople who value privacy. This app has received support from high-profile figures such as Jack Dorsey, Elon Musk and Edward Snowden.

According to Signal, that's the goalprotect freedom of expression. There isno ads or trackingon the app, and Signal does not collect or store any data about your messages.

But is Signal safe? And how does it protect your data from prying eyes? In this article we assess how Signal protects your privacy.

An introduction to signal

Signal is undoubtedly the most secure messaging app today. Created by the non-profit organizationSignal Foundation, is this appdesigned to protect your privacy. It offersend-to-end-coderingusing its own signaling protocol.

Signal is built onopen source software. Anyone can check the source code to see how the app works and whether it is safe.

Signal is an amalgamation of two different messaging apps - TextSecure and RedPhone - created by Open Whisper Systems. This company laid the foundation for the Signal protocol and the Signal app.

Like Telegram and WhatsApp, Signal lets you send text messages, voice messages, photos, videos, GIFs, location data, and files. You can also make group calls and video calls. Signal is compatible with iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux and Android devices.

There isno ads,affiliate-links, ofto followon Signal. The chat app is also not affiliated with major tech companies. So there are fewer concerns about data sharing compared to WhatsApp, which is owned by Meta (formerlyFacebook).

In 2021, Signal's monthly active users doubled after an updateWhatsApp Privacy Policyled many to believe that the company would start sharing user data with Facebook.

Signal recently increased the maximum number of participants on a video call40 people. For comparison: you can make video calls with maxeight participantson WhatsApp.

Is the signal safe?

Why is Signal Considered One of the Most Secure Messaging Apps? Is it really safe? We evaluated Signal's key security features and here's what we found.

End-to-end-codering

Signal userSignal protocolUnpleasantend-to-end-codering. All messages sent through the app are encrypted. Only the person you're chatting with can see your messages. Apparently even Signal developersno access to your messages.

“We can't read your messages or listen to your calls, and neither can anyone else. “Privacy is not an optional mode, it's just the way Signal works,” the company's website says.

In addition to your messages, also Signalencrypts your profile. Signal cannot see your profile name, photo and associated metadata. WhatsApp and Telegram can see this data.

Signal was ahead of other apps in offering end-to-end encryption for all messages. Facebook, Google and Microsoft have everythinghas adopted the signaling protocol.

Signal security numbers

Signal assigns a security number to each chat so you can do thatcheck if your call is safe. When you start a signaling call with a new contact, you can confirm the security number with the other person. This is important if you share sensitive information.

You will receive an alert that the security number has changed if a contact changes phones or reinstalls Signal. This functionprotects against man-in-the-middle attacksand eliminates the chance that hackers will pose as a contact and trick you into disclosing sensitive information.

Open source

Signal is open source, so the code is publicly available on GitHub.Anyone can view the code. Independent researchers have reviewed Signal's code over the years and concluded that the app didno major safety flaws.

“Signal's mechanisms suggest that significant effort is invested in protecting against the loss of secrets used in specific communications,” says a group of academic researchers.saidin 2016 after analyzing the signal protocol.

Signal is audited annually by companies and private individuals. You will find their security audit reportsher.

Signal comes with other unique security features. For example, you can lock your phone number to ensure that no one can hack into your Signal account and re-register it on another device.

What information does Signal collect?

Most messaging apps offer end-to-end encryption, but stillcollect large amounts of user data. This metadata includes information about the people you communicate with, the duration and time of each conversation, the device you use, your deviceIP adres, phone number and much more.

Unlike other messaging apps, Signal only storesmetadata necessary for the app to function. These include phone numbers, random keys and profile information.

Signal has reiterated its commitment to privacy over the years. In 2021, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California served Signal with a subpoena requesting personal information such as users' location, name, and messages. The company responded that it could not provide this information because it does not collect it.

“It is impossible to convert data that we never had access to in the first place. Signal does not have access to your messages; your profile name or avatar; or even the GIFs you search for,” Signal said in ablogpostabout the incident.

Phone number

Unfortunately, you cannot use Signalcompletely anonymous, as the app collects your personal phone number and associates it with your account, just like a username.

There is a workaround if you want to use Signal without sharing your phone number. You can register with a different telephone number. This can be a virtual number, a prepaid SIM card or another telephone number.

Contact list

Signal is a privacy-focused messaging app. But the first thing it asks when you create an account isaccess to all contacts on your phone. This may seem counterintuitive, but there is a reason why the app needs this information.

Like other messaging apps, Signal shows people in your contacts who are already using the app. This way you know who to message and call. Signal saves yourcontact list in an unreadable formaton their servers.

You can still use Signal even if you decide not to give the app access to your contacts. You simply don't know which of your contacts are using Signal. But people can contact you and so can yousearch for people with their phone numberson Signal to contact them.

Signal and GDPR: How can I see the data signal about me?

Under the European Union (EU)General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), you haveright to request a copyof the personal data that companies collect about you. Messaging services that process personal data must comply with this. Although you can submit a request to Signal, they cannot provide data because they do not collect it.

Messages, images, files, and other content sent via Signal are end-to-end encrypted. They areonly read and stored on your device. Signal does not collect any information about you other than your phone number.

How does signal make money?

Signal is a free encrypted communication app and contains no ads. So how does Signal make money? Well, it's the appnot for profitAnd hisfully funded by grantsand donations from people using Signal.

Unlike WhatsApp,Signal is owned by a non-profit organization. The Signal Foundation was founded in 2018 by Signal CEO Moxie Marlinspike and WhatsApp co-founder Brian Acton. The latter donated 50 million dollars to establish the Signal Foundation.

Is signal better than WhatsApp?

BothWhatsApp and Signaluse end-to-end encryption. This means that these chat services do not have access to your conversations. Signal tooencrypts users' profilesso that it cannot access your photos and other information on your profile. WhatsApp does not encrypt this data and therefore has access to it.

The difference between the two chat services is mainly in thisthe amount of data they collectand the companies behind it.

WhatsApp is owned by Meta (formerly Facebook), which raises some concerns about data sharing. It is unclear exactly which WhatsApp data Facebook uses for advertisem*nts.

Signal is a non-profit, privacy-friendly messaging app thatdoes not share information with third parties. It also doesn't collect metadata; WhatsApp does that. It's also worth noting that Signal is an open source app, making it more reliable and transparent.

In a recent oneinterviewSpeaking to The Verge, Signal president Meredith Whittaker said Signal is the "most widely used private messaging app on the market."

"We take great care to not only keep the content of your messages and who you talk to private, but also to collect as little data as possible while still providing a functional service. We differentiate ourselves from our competitors and know that Our mission is to be a private app and we are in no way affiliated with the surveillance business model,” she said.

More privacy on Signal

Although Signal users are private by default, they can go furtheradjust the privacy settingsin the messaging app by:

• Makes it possibleexpiring messages
• Teethapplication lock
• Teethpay attention to prevention
• Teethdistraction
• Turns offsample images
• Use oneVPN

Make messages disappear

Even with end-to-end encryption, the messages you send through Signal are visible on your device and on the recipient's device. This means that if a device is stolen or hacked,your messages may be exposed.

To avoid this, it is advisable to delete old signal messages when you no longer need them. However, there is no guarantee that the recipient will do the same.

To prevent your messages from remaining on the recipient's device indefinitely, enable SignalDisappearing messagesfunction. You can set this feature for all chats or for individual contacts. You can also choose how long your messages will stay before disappearing.

Enable Signal Disappearing Messages on Android or iPhone

1. Open signal andclick on the three dotstop left of the screen.
2. Click on "Institutions," and then press "Privacy."
3. 
4. I "Disappearing messages" section, press "Standard hours for new chats."
5. 
6. Here, choose how long messages should remain before they are automatically deleted. You can choose from the preset options or set the desired time frame.

Remark: Even if you use this feature, recipients can save your messages by taking a screenshot before they disappear.

App lock signal

For extra safety you can activate signalsapplication lockfunction. When you enable this feature, you will be required to enter your device's password, PIN, or biometric authentication (FaceID, TouchID, or fingerprint) before you can access the app.

This security feature is not available in the Desktop Signal app. You can only use it on your smartphone and you must first enable the screen lock on your device.

Enable Signal app lock on Android or iPhone

1. Open signal andclick on the three dotstop left of the screen.
2. Click on "Institutions," and then press "Privacy."
3. 
4. To turn on "Screen lock."
5. 

Protect chat from screen recording

Rapportscreen saverfeature prevents other apps from taking screenshots of your messages on Signal. It also prevents signal samples from appearing when you switch between apps. If you enable snooping prevention, the signal content will be hidden from the recent apps list.

Enable screen saver on Android or iPhone

1. Open signal andclick on the three dotstop left of the screen.
2. Click on "Institutions," and then press "Privacy."
3. 
4. To turn on "Screen saver."
5. 

Your messages are now protected from screen recording by other apps. When you switch between apps, a blue screen with the Signal logo will now appear to protect your calls.

Enable Signal call forwarding

If you're concerned about your IP address being tracked when you call on Signal, the call forwarding feature can help. When you enable this feature, your calls will be routed through Signal's servers and your contact will not be able to determine your actual IP address.

Enable call forwarding on Android or iPhone

1. Open signal andclick on the three dotstop left of the screen.
2. Click on "Institutions," and then press "Privacy."
3. 
4. Go to "Advanced" At the bottom.
5. Turn the switch next to 'Always forward calls.” Signal now routes your calls through its servers to avoid revealing your IP address to the contact.
6. 

Disable preview images

When you share a link on Signal and a preview image is generated, the website you link to can see it too. The app will briefly contact that site to retrieve the preview page. The website can see that you mention them in a message and which specific web page you mention.

Signal had built-in protection for this, but this feature was removed because it did not work for all sites.

Disable preview images on Android or iPhone

1. Open signal andclick on the three dotstop left of the screen.
2. Click on "Chats."
3. 
4. To swallow "Generate link samples.” Now websites can't register that you mention them in your message now.
5. 

Use a VPN

Use oneVPNis another way to hide your IP address. VPNs also encrypt your online traffic and protect your privacy.

In some countries with thongscensorshiplaw like China,Signal and other chat apps are blocked. But you can use a VPN to access Signal. Simply connect to a VPN server in another country to access the app.

For comprehensive security and unblocking geo-based restrictions, we recommendNordVPN. This VPN offersrock-safe encryptionand has a stringno logging policy. You can take advantage of this30-day money back guaranteeto try NordVPN for free.

Conclusion: Signal is privacy-friendly

Signal is one of the bestprivatlivsvenlige chat-appsand an excellent alternative to WhatsApp for secure communication. Thatencrypts all your messagesand even your profile information. It toodoes not store user dataand you don't have to provide any personal information to use it.

Want to protect your privacy on other social media and messaging apps? Check out these articles below:

• Have you checked your WhatsApp privacy settings?
• Secure your privacy without uninstalling Instagram
• How to Optimize Your Snapchat Privacy Settings
• How to improve your privacy settings on Twitter
• Have you updated your privacy settings on Skype?

Ian HingaAuteur

VPN-expert

Ian is a former VPNOverview content writer with expertise in researching and writing about cybersecurity, internet protection and online freedom. He is a marketer and cybersecurity enthusiast who wants to educate others through his writing.

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