Is the Signal App Safe? We Test the Security of This Top Messaging App

Signal is gaining popularity as a secure alternative to WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Telegram, but you may be wondering if it’s as safe as it claims. The short answer is: Yes. Signal uses end-to-end encryption as well as other security measures and has customizable options for even more security.

If you couple Signal with a quality VPN, you have even more security that protects not only your messages but also your internet traffic. We are regular users of Signal and recommend it to anyone concerned about privacy.

Keep reading for how to customize your app, all the ways Signal is more secure, and how it compares to competitors.

Is the Signal app safe?

Yes, Signal is one of the safest messaging platforms you can use. It’s end-to-end encrypted, which means that only the devices where Signal is installed can read and see the message.

It doesn’t keep logs, either, so there’s never any record of your messages stored on its servers. In fact, Signal data is locally stored on your device and can’t be found anywhere else.

Personally, we’ve experienced this with our own Signal accounts. Conversations on our iPhone app couldn’t be accessed from our Mac when we logged in there.

Signal security and privacy features

Signal offers advanced security features that ensure the messages you’re sending are private. Whether you need a secure line between yourself and another person or you want your group chat to stay secret, Signal has you covered.

• End-to-end encryption: Before the data is sent to another device, it’s encrypted. It is only decrypted by the destination device. This means that as it’s being sent, it cannot be read by anyone, including the company providing the service.
• Open-source: Signal is open-source, which means its code is available for anyone to view and evaluate. This is considered safer because no hidden cookies, ads, or trackers can be embedded without someone discovering.
• Independent nonprofit: Signal isn’t owned by a large corporation or Big Tech. It’s an independent nonprofit that relies on grants and donations to continue to run. This means there aren’t investors with an interest in selling data to increase profits.
• No logs: Since data is stored locally, Signal doesn’t keep logs of your messages or activity. Even though Signal says it will comply with law enforcement if required, since it doesn’t keep logs there’s no way for them to hand over your data.
• Anonymity: Signal requires your phone number to sign up, but you can create a username to hide your phone number in the app.

Can you trust Signal?

We trust the Signal app, and privacy experts like the folks over at CyberGhost and Edward Snowden trust the Signal app, so we feel confident saying you can trust it too. Because of Signal’s end-to-end encryption, lack of logs, and open-source code, it is one of the most trustworthy apps you can have on your phone. By comparison, Meta apps like Messenger and WhatsApp are monitored by Meta employees who can view flagged content, even though they claim end-to-end encryption.

Is Signal safer than WhatsApp?

Yes. WhatsApp was built with security in mind, but after Meta’s acquisition of it, the app became less safe. Meta ensures end-to-end encryption on WhatsApp, but users can still flag content on the messaging platform, which can then be seen by Meta employees, who can presumably see files being uploaded from the user who flagged the content. Meta has also been sued by the EU and faced fines from the FTC for violating its own privacy policies and compromising users’ data.

Is Signal safer than Telegram?

We think Signal is safer than Telegram. Telegram doesn’t actually come with end-to-end encryption turned on. You’ll need to activate it, which many people aren’t aware of when they use the app. Even then, it’s available only in secret chats. Additionally, Telegram stores more metadata than any of its contemporaries, making it a bad choice for secure messaging.

Signal privacy settings

Signal is pretty private from the start, but you can increase your security by adjusting some of the settings. Whether you want to set up call relay to hide your IP address or enable biometrics to unlock the app (in addition to unlocking your phone), you can do that in the app’s settings. We have a step-by-step process below:

1. Open your Signal app.
2. Tap your profile picture in the upper left corner of the main navigation.
3. Tap Settings.
4. Tap Privacy.
5. Adjust settings from the menu.
6. Tap Advanced.
7. Adjust advanced settings from the menu.

How to protect your data on messaging apps

You can add a VPN to your phone to increase your security while using messaging apps. A VPN will encrypt your traffic and hide your IP address. Even if your messaging app is secure, like Signal, using it over a shared Wi-Fi network may still reveal some data. Installing a top-rated VPN on your phone helps protect your personal information.

Top VPNs for social messaging platforms

FAQs

Bottom line: Is the Signal app really safe?

Yes, the Signal app is one of the safest messaging platforms available. Its end-to-end encryption, local storage, lack of logs, open-source software, and nonprofit status are all clear indicators that Signal values privacy.

To increase privacy, we suggest also using a VPN on the same device as your app. The best VPNs add to your security by encrypting data like your IP address.

Protecting your personal data is becoming increasingly necessary. By combining secure apps like Signal with other security services like a VPN, you’ll ensure that your information stays away from prying eyes.