Messaging app Signal sees rising popularity in US and Europe
A US military discussion was accidentally shared with a journalist, raising concerns over secure messaging platforms.
Signal’s president, Meredith Whittaker, defended the app’s security after top US officials mistakenly included a journalist in an encrypted chat about military action in Yemen.
While not addressing the incident directly, Whittaker reiterated Signal’s status as the ‘gold standard in private communications’ and highlighted its open-source, nonprofit model. The app is widely used for its strong encryption, which protects both message content and metadata, unlike some competitors.
Signal has gained popularity in the United States and Europe as a more private alternative to WhatsApp. Data from Sensor Tower shows a 16% rise in US downloads in early 2025 compared to the previous quarter and a 25% increase year-on-year.
Whittaker previously criticised WhatsApp for collecting metadata, which she argued could reveal communication patterns. WhatsApp defended its practices, stating that metadata helps prevent spam and abuse while insisting it does not track personal messages for advertising.
The security lapse involving US officials has renewed debate over encrypted messaging platforms and their vulnerabilities. Signal’s strict privacy measures contrast with WhatsApp’s approach, which retains some metadata for security purposes.
As more users prioritise privacy, Signal continues to grow, with advocates praising its encryption technology and lack of corporate data collection.
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