Signal is once again back in the news amid reports that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth had a 2nd instance in which he used the app to share confidential military information with others.
The Lowdown
Signal is an end-to-end ecrypted messaging app that allows people to securely chat with others. The app is common among people like journalists who need to confidentially receive information from confidential sources.
According to background on the app, the app boasts between 40-70million monthly users. While not a big share of the market compared to apps like Whatsapp and others, the app boasts a number of features and security protocols that are enticing to many.
Perhaps one of the most shining facets of Signal is its end-to-end encryption or (E2EE.) In non technological speak, that simply means that no one including Signal staff can see messages two users exchange on the platform.
Notably the app does not store records of usernames, profile pictures, or the groups people are part of all part of its efforts to collect *less* data about its userbase. The company’s owners The Signal Foundation is a U.S based non profit relying on donations to the cause rather than ad revenue.
The app is available to download and use for free on the App Store / Play Store.