Signal, a secure messaging app known for prioritizing privacy, has enhanced its offerings by introducing end-to-end encrypted backups, providing users with the option to store messages securely. This development comes amid growing concerns about digital privacy.
Privacy and Encryption
Signal's end-to-end encryption, based on the open-source Signal Protocol, ensures that only senders and recipients can read content. This includes all messages, calls, and group conversations, with forward secrecy and post-quantum protections. The introduction of encrypted backups allows users to store messages and up to 45 days of media, with increased storage available through an optional paid tier.
- Signal provides end-to-end encryption using the Signal Protocol.
- Backup storage includes messages and 45 days of media.
- An optional paid tier increases the storage size for media.
- Sealed Sender minimizes metadata exposure to Signal's servers.
Privacy Features
The app enhances privacy with disappearing messages that can be set per chat or globally. View-once media deletes photos and videos after a single view. Additionally, Signal enables users to register with phone numbers while offering usernames to limit number exposure. Signal stores minimal metadata, such as the account creation date and last connection time.
- Disappearing messages and view-once media enhance privacy.
- Users must register with a phone number but can use usernames for privacy.
- No message content is stored on Signal’s servers.
- Minimal technical data is collected by Signal.
Comparison with Competitors
Compared to WhatsApp and Telegram, Signal stands out by defaulting to end-to-end encryption for all communications and collecting minimal metadata. While WhatsApp offers similar encryption, it collects more usage and device metadata. Telegram allows end-to-end encryption only in optional secret chats, storing standard chats on its servers.
- Signal defaults to end-to-end encryption for all communications.
- WhatsApp collects more usage and device metadata.
- Telegram's encryption is only in secret chats; regular chats are stored on servers.
