The current Signal users are likely to receive more notifications than usual, regarding their contacts joining Signal. These pings reflect the fact that there has been an influx of new users.
The people are switching to Signal because recently Facebook-owned WhatsApp – encrypted to the end using Signal agreements – began issuing a privacy renewal notice to users making it clear that it shares user information with Facebook. That led to people looking elsewhere to find a secure communication app. These people were helped by Elon Musk via a tweet on January 7, that simply said, “Use Signal.”
Use Signal
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 7, 2021
It’s starting to get very popular from then on. As of this writing, Signal is on top of the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, and its two-factorauthentication plan was delayed a bit on Thursday because there wasa huge number of people, trying to sign up.
So, are you thinking of joining the Signal? The bottom line: If you care about privacy, that’s a good idea. Here’s what you need to know.
What is Signal?
For the past three years, Signal has also invested in infrastructure and other features to support its users. Signal first saw an increase in users in the spring as people who took part in anti-racist protests around George Floyd’s assassination saw how law enforcement viewed them and asked companies to provide user details. It’s starting to get very popular from then on.
The signal is a free, privacy-focused, and voice-speaking app that you can use on Apple and Android smartphones and desktops. All you need is a phone number to join. You can send messages or make voice or video calls with friends, either face or in groups, and use emoji responses or stickers as in other apps.
How Secure is Signal?
The communications among the users on Signal is end to end encrypted. Due to which people in messages can see the content of those messages and no one else, not even the company itself. Sticker packs also get their special encryption.
The signal has created an encryption rule (basically, the technology you use this) for other companies including WhatsApp and Skype that use it. It is the gold standard of privacy.
Privacy:
The user’s privacy on Signal goes beyond the fact that the content of its user’s messages is encrypted. You can set messages to disappear after certain customizations. Also, Signal collects almost no data for its users. If the police come knocking on the Signal with information for their users, it means that they have no information to pass on.
Part of the reason it does not collect data is that Signal is a non-profit organization, not a for-profit company. There is no advertising, so there is no reason to track users. Although a small group of privacy activists created the Signal in 2013, it has grown in recent years. In 2018, WhatsApp founder Brian Acton donated $ 50 million to create the Signal Foundation, which now operates Signal.
Signal vs WhatsApp and Other Messaging Apps:
The messages on Signal and WhatsApp are both encrypted end-to-end using the same technology. Due to which content of the messages you send and the calls you have are private. Whereas, Facebook collects many other details in terms of usage statistics, metadata, and much more. The signal does not have as many customization features as WhatsApp, such as domains. But when it comes to true privacy, there is no comparison.
The Telegram also says it’s about privacy, but it has a lot of downsides. Messages in Telegram are not encrypted to end to default. Also, the fact that private groups are not limited in size can be joined by a link, and are not modeled has made it a platform for toxic and illegal content, such as terrorism and sexual retaliation.
How to get Signal App:
At the moment the Signal is very easy to find as it sits at the top of the free apps chart. You can easily download Signal app from Apple’s App Store or Google Play store.
