S
- Category
- Messaging · SaaS alternative
- Cost
- Free
- Country
- US
- Licensing
- FOSS
- Platforms
- iOS · Android · Linux · macOS · Windows
# PROS AND CONS
+ what works
- +Default end-to-end encryption for text, voice, video, and groups
- +Clients and server are AGPLv3, libsignal is GPLv3
- +Minimal server-side metadata, confirmed by published subpoena responses
- +Optional usernames let you hide your phone number from contacts
− watch out for
- −Phone number still required to register an account
- −US jurisdiction is less privacy-friendly than EU or Swiss alternatives
- −Linked devices cap at five and depend on a primary phone for setup
- −No federation; you can only message other Signal users
# PRIVACY NOTES
Messages, voice, video, and group chats are end-to-end encrypted by default using the Signal Protocol. Servers hold ciphertext and routing metadata only; the sealed sender and private contact discovery designs minimize what Signal can see about who talks to whom. The only data Signal has historically been able to produce in response to US subpoenas is the account registration date and last connection date. The Signal Technology Foundation is a US 501(c)(3) non-profit, so the service operates under US legal process. A phone number is still required to register; usernames (rolled out in 2024) let users keep that number private from contacts.
# REPLACES
whatsappimessage
# TAGS
#e2ee · #non-profit · #signal-protocol · #foss
# DOES THIS WORK FOR YOU
# NOTES FROM PEOPLE WHO TRIED IT
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