What Is Signal?
Signal is a secure and end-to-end encrypted messaging app, is currently the most downloaded app all over the world. It was launched in 2014 and has become more widely used in 2019 and 2020. Signal is developed by Signal Messenger, Signal Foundation, and Open Whisper Systems using various programming languages like Java, C, JavaScript, and Objective-C.
Signal is available for Android, iPhone, and iPad as well as desktop clients for Windows, Mac, and Linux. It has more than 50 million total downloads, and the app had approximately 20 million monthly active users as of January 2021.
What makes Signal different?
Signal is an end-to-end encrypted messaging app, available for mobile and desktop. That means users can send texts or make phone or video calls without outsiders even police can’t access signal message.
The user experience of Signal is just like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and other popular chat apps. You can share text, voice messages, photos, videos, GIFs, and files for free as well as you can make privacy stick. Signal uses your phone’s data connection so you can avoid SMS and MMS fees.
Recently signal increased its group call limit from five to eight users and its group chats top out at 1,000 users. All calls are made over a Wi-Fi or data connection and (with the exception of data fees) are free of charge, including long-distance and international.
There are no ads, no affiliate marketers, no creepy tracking and the service doesn’t sell ads or user data because signal is an independent nonprofit. This means signal is sustained by a donation from people like us.
Signal’s software is completely open-sourced, source code is available on GitHub. So anyone can download or copy it. The founders’ mission is for end-to-end encryption to become commonplace, even to the point where Signal isn’t necessary.
Why Signal Is So Private and Secure:
All communications between Signal users are automatically end-to-end encrypted. No one can access any message, calls, files even the company that operates Signal could not see these messages even if it wanted to. Intercepted messages would look like a string of garbled text and symbols.
This is a huge difference from other older apps like Facebook messenger, Instagram, Whatsapp, and so on. For example, Facebook has access to everything like your message, video call, audio call, name, profile picture, status, contact details, hardware model, operating system, battery level, signal strength, time zone, IP address, and many more.
If you search or chat with your friends about clothing products on Instagram, you will see many clothing ads on the feed in a few seconds.
Signal is developed by a nonprofit, which means it’s not tied to any major tech companies, and never be acquired by one either, the service doesn’t sell ads or user data. It’s supported by donations from the people like us.
Signal is an independent nonprofit. We’re not tied to any major tech companies, and we can never be acquired by one either. Development is supported by grants and donations from people like you.
As you can see this tweeter post which is a tweet by Signalapp “Data Linked To You”.
Why Signal is so Popular?
As we know Signal’s end-to-end encryption is its big feature. They care about user’s privacy their main motto is “Privacy isn’t an optional mode — it’s just the way that Signal works. Every message, every call, every time.”
They worked hard for many years for overnight success. Also, they are transparent with users like what they do? why they are doing? How they are working? and many more.
Another big reason is Tesla founder Elon Musk and Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey tweet. Also, WhatsApp is changing its privacy policy to share even more data on Facebook. And users felt unfair because the new WhatsApp privacy policy was completely opposite when WhatsApp was acquired by Facebook. Due to privacy concerns, WhatsApp users also moved on the Signal.
How to Get Started Signal Step-by-Step Guide:
Step 1 – Install Signal App
Apple’s App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android.
Step 2 – Enter Phone Numer
Enter your phone number and access to your contacts.
Step 3 – Final Setup
Now you’re ready to use Signal app. If you have someone in your contacts and that person’s phone number is associated with a Signal account, you’ll see that you can contact them on Signal.
If your friends and family are not using Signal app ask them to download it and sign up. The best thing is if the person on your contact list has used Signal App you will receive a notification.
Note: You can download the Signal desktop app for Windows, Mac, or Linux. To use the Signal desktop app, Signal must first be installed on your phone.
How to Download Signal App on Phone:
Signal app is available for both app stores. Apple’s App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android. Go through the setup process to give Signal a phone number and access to your contacts.
How to Download Signal App on Computer or Laptop:
You can easily download Signal desktop app for Windows, Mac, or Linux from Signal website. To use the Signal desktop app, Signal must first be installed on your phone. This will sync messages from the Signal app on your phone to your computer.
Signal works based on phone numbers. You need a phone number to sign up. That phone number identifies you on Signal.
No, you can’t create Single app account without a phone number. Signal works based on phone numbers. You need a phone number to sign up. That phone number identifies you on Signal.
Yes, You can easily download Signal desktop app for Windows, Mac, or Linux from Signal website.
Moxie Marlinspike is founder and CEO of signal app and co-founder is Brian Acton, who also created WhatsApp.
Signal app is founded on 29 July 2014.
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