This week, Signal, a popular messaging app, made headlines after reports surfaced that several senior Trump administration officials used the app for war planning, inadvertently adding a journalist to the message group.
Starting in 2014, Signal has garnered hundreds of millions of users, particularly among journalists, activists, privacy experts, and politicians seeking secure communication through encryption.
However, the use of Signal by government officials led to an intelligence breach outside the secure channels typically used for classified war planning. This incident has raised concerns about Signal’s security and the rationale behind government officials using it, given that federal officials are generally prohibited from installing Signal on government-issued devices.
Here’s what you need to know.
What is Signal used for?
Signal is an encrypted messaging application designed for secure communication. It encrypts messages end-to-end to prevent interception and unauthorized access while in transit.
Users can enable messages to disappear after a set time on Signal. This feature can be activated in the settings for individual chats.
Who owns Signal?
Signal is owned by the Signal Foundation, an independent nonprofit in the United States funded by user donations and grants.
In 2018, Brian Acton, a WhatsApp co-founder, donated $50 million to start the Signal Foundation after disagreements with Facebook (Meta) over monetizing WhatsApp. Acton, alongside cryptographer Moxie Marlinspike, launched the foundation to ensure Signal does not monetize user data.
Signal’s security features have made it a highly regarded messaging app, with its encryption technology being open source and regularly scrutinized for vulnerabilities.
Is Signal secure?
Yes, Signal is widely considered the most secure messaging app due to its encryption technology and robust data protection measures.
Signal’s encryption technology has been vital in defending against foreign hacking attempts. The app is designed to store minimal user data to mitigate security breaches.
While Signal is secure, compromised devices could expose message content. For sensitive discussions like war planning, using approved government channels may prevent unintentional disclosures.
Signal representatives did not provide an immediate comment on the recent developments.
Is Signal safe for texting?
Generally, Signal is safe for texting, but users should exercise caution when adding new contacts or group members to ensure privacy and security.