Nonprofit Signal 💙
sustainable messaging and calling app
Miguel
4 min read·
What is Signal?
Signal Messenger is an ethical and sustainable end-to-end encrypted messaging and calling app that I´ve been happily using and promoting since December 2019 (in early 2021 I deleted WhatsApp - a few very important contacts 'didn't allow' me to do that earlier). Signal app is owned by an independent (not tied to any major tech company) and 501c3 nonprofit foundation called Signal Technology Foundation.
Signal Technology Foundation was founded by Brian Acton (WhatsApp co-founder) and Moxie Marlinspike (cybersecurity scientist), whose mission is to develop privacy- and freedom of expression-focused technology that is accessible to all.
Edward Snowden is an American whistleblower, former US National Security Agency (NSA) contractor, who in 2013 revealed extensive internet and phone surveillance by US intelligence. Since then he´s lived in asylum in several foreign countries.
I don´t like Twitter as a company because it shares all kinds of problems inherent to Big Tech, but I do not condemn anyone for using their products – I personally still use a few Big Tech apps because haven't found better alternatives yet.
Signal members who left Big Tech
WhatsApp founders, Brian Acton and Jan Koum, have decided to leave Facebook Inc (which acquired WhatsApp in 2014) back in 2017/2018, for disagreements with company policies on the use of user data by the applications owned by Facebook Inc. The most popular apps owned by Facebook Inc are Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Messenger.
By the way, Facebook Inc recently banned Signal ads that aimed to show Facebook Inc users which type of personal data is collected about them to be sold to advertisers. The Signal foundation is against monetization of personal user data, as illustrated in its first global marketing campaign.
The third member of the Signal foundation board is a female scientist, Meredith Whittaker, who studies Big Tech and the social implications of artificial intelligence (AI). Meredith worked 13 years for Google, and before resigning from the company co-organized the "2018 Google Walkouts" protest. It mobilized more than 20 000 Google employees worldwide against Google's deprecated culture regarding complaints for sexual misconduct and citizen surveillance. Next are a few examples why Google didn´t seem to care.
End-to-End Encryption 🔐
We’ve designed Signal to keep your data in your hands rather than ours. Signal uses end-to-end encryption so that we never have access to the contents of the messages you send; they are only visible to you and the intended recipients. However, Signal also applies this design philosophy to the rest of your data (ref - archive).
Unlike WhatsApp, Signal encrypts data from your contacts, whom you’re messaging, when, and how often, meaning this crucial metadata – oftentimes more sensitive than the contents of messages themselves – is equally safe (ref - archive).
🤯
WhatsApp can read some of your messages if the recipient reports them (ref).
Today we are happy to announce the first step in advancing quantum resistance for the Signal Protocol: an upgrade to the X3DH specification which we are calling PQXDH. With this upgrade, we are adding a layer of protection against the threat of a quantum computer being built in the future that is powerful enough to break current encryption standards (ref).
Other important Signal features
Sending messages to yourself (through a fictitious contact named "Note to Self" – search for it on your contact list).
Calling (incl. video) using your PC by means of Signal desktop app (downloadable from signal.org/download).
Using the application when your mobile phone is turned off or doesn't have internet connection. You can achieve that via Signal desktop app, which is synchronized with the mobile counterpart.
If you get a new phone number you can change the number associated to your Signal account, under Account settings, and your contacts will be notified 👇🏻.
Message editing and version history
you can edit a message on Signal after it has been sent.
messages will always show when they have been edited, and you can tap on the "Edited" indicator to see the full edit history for any edited messages.
Text formatting: bold, italics,
strikethrough, Monospace font, or the spoiler effect (recipients won’t be able to see what you wrote until they tap on it to reveal what’s underneath — particularly useful if its something confidential that you wanna make sure no one else next to you can read).
Make sure you go through all the settings in the app thoroughly, especially the privacy and security ones as well as the following:
Phone: Settings > Data and storage > Sent media quality = high (same as the original) vs. standard (loss of quality).
Desktop: Chats > Sent media quality = high (same as the original) vs. standard (loss of quality).
Signal payments
The first payments protocol added to Signal is a privacy-focused network/blockchain called MobileCoin, being its native token a carbon-negative cryptocurrency with the same name (MOB).
Signal Payments links a MobileCoin non-custodial wallet to Signal so you can start sending money to your contacts, receive funds from them, keep track of your balance and review your transaction history. You can also transfer your funds to another wallet, for instance to exchange your MOB for another digital currency. All this while using a simple interface.
To get your crypto wallet address on Signal, go to Settings — Payments — Add funds.
MobileCoin’s design means Signal does not have access to your balance, full transaction history, or funds (ref)
MobileCoin is a private payment system that works directly with messaging apps on your phone or desktop. It’s cryptocurrency made for everyone (ref)
MobileCoin Inc recently launched a stablecoin called Electronic Dollar or eUSD, which they claim to be the first zero-knowledge end-to-end encrypted stablecoin. The new currency will become available to all partners in the MobileCoin ecosystem, including Signal (ref).
News
Signal Private Messenger is now testing usernames
No More Phone Number Swaps: Signal Messaging App Now Testing Usernames
Offering usernames will allow people to stop giving out their phone number -a sensitive piece of information- in order to connect with others on the messaging app.
Children deserve a secure and safe internet
Petition 'Stop Scanning Me' (video inside):
Stop Scanning Me
Privacy empowers. Surveillance weakens.
It calls to oppose the unsustainable EU child sexual abuse (CSA) regulation and to pursue an alternative compatible with the Human Rights.
Securing Signal Against Quantum Computers
Quantum Resistance and the Signal Protocol
The Signal Protocol is a set of cryptographic specifications that provides end-to-end encryption for private communications exchanged daily by billions of people around the world. After its publication in 2013, the Signal Protocol was adopted not only by Signal but well beyond. Technical informat...
New year, new CEO
It’s a new year, and I’ve decided it’s a good time to replace myself as the CEO of Signal. I have now been working on Signal for almost a decade. It has always been my goal for Signal to grow and sustain beyond my involvement, Moxie Marlinspike
Support Signal
If you like the Signal project and wanna support it (beyond using the app and spreading the word), you might want to:
Contribute to the programming code — Signal project is open-source.
Share your ideas (or like others’) for new features.
Donate (cryptocurrencies allowed).
References
New Features Roll Call: Fall 2023
You should be able to communicate without worrying that every gossip tidbit, meme, or joke you share and who you share it with will get churned up into fodder for targeted ads or used to train an AI model. You also shouldn't have to strip your communications down to the barest and most utilitaria...
WhatsApp Moderators can Read your Messages