Why secure messaging service 'Signal' is topping app store charts worldwide right now
Last week, WhatsApp users were alerted to an updated privacy policy that is taking effect on 8 February.
Ultimately, there's one key difference from the old privacy policy - sensitive information from WhatsApp will now be shared with its parent company, Facebook.
Since then, two major shifts have occurred. There's been a push to other secure messaging platforms - such as Signal and Telegram - and a pull from WhatsApp to clarify misinformation and keep users trusting their app.
THE PUSH TO OTHER APPS
On Thursday, Tesla CEO Elon Musk tweeted: “Use Signal” to his 42 million followers. Since then, the app has rocketed up the app download charts on Apple and Android, and is currently the most downloaded app in Australia.
Telegram, which is currently second behind Signal on the App Store, saw more than 25 million new users sign up in just the last 72 hours.
SO WHAT IS SIGNAL?
Signal is an end-to-end encrypted communications app, where users can send texts or make phone or video calls without the platform itself seeing the content. It's used by political groups on both sides of politics - it was extremely popular with organisers of the BLM movement, and was instrumental in the organisation of the Capitol riots last week.
Signal’s software is open sourced, so others can download or copy it. The founders’ have even gone on record to say they hope, one day, Signal isn't necessary because end-to-end encryption is so common.
It recently released a tool that automatically blurs faces in photos, so people could share videos of protests without identifying the protesters.
It's set up as a not-for-profit, and operates via donations.
THE PULL FROM WHATSAPP TO KEEP USERS
WhatsApp has published a new FAQ page to its website outlining its stance on user privacy in response to widespread backlash over an upcoming privacy policy update.
They reassure users that WhatsApp can't see any private messages, or hear calls - and neither can Facebook. They also state they do not keep call logs.
The platform insists that the privacy changes relate to messaging businesses on WhatsApp, and the ability for businesses to use their data to follow up with those who contacted them via WhatsApp on Facebook or Instagram.
However, many tech experts on social media have voiced concern over a new line in WhatsApp's privacy statement: that the app may share unspecified "other information" with Facebook.