Signal is a messenger for secure online communication. To ensure security, the messenger uses end-to-end encryption based on an open-source protocol that connects users with each other using phone numbers. All information about correspondence and calls is stored on users’ devices; only metadata (information about the data used) is transmitted to the service’s servers.

Signal users can exchange text messages, files, communicate via audio and video calls. The messenger allows users to set a timer for the storage time of transmitted messages, after which the message will be deleted from all users.

Signal features:

• no ads and no secret snooping programs;
• group voice and video calls in high resolution with support for up to 8 participants;
• stickers – messenger supports custom sticker sets;
• transfer files of any format;
• emoji marking of messages;
• one-time display of a photo or video for the user – after viewing the material, the message is instantly deleted;
• lightweight interface without unnecessary elements.

Interesting facts

• Signal was created by Moxie Marlinspike and Stuart Anderson in 2013 with the initial goal of providing users with a secure means of communication;
• Signal’s encryption protocol, which is considered one of the most secure, has been integrated into other popular messengers such as WhatsApp and Skype;
• Signal operates as a non-profit organization and actively opposes government attempts to access user data;
• The messenger provides a “self-destruct message” feature, allowing users to set a timer to automatically delete messages after they are read;
• The messenger is actively open source, allowing the community to actively participate in the development and security testing of the product;
• Signal Foundation was founded in 2018 by Brian Acton, co-founder of WhatsApp, who invested $50 million to support the project and advance the mission of personal privacy.