Signal Babble
1. General Information
Q: What is Signal?
A: A free, privacy-focused encrypted messaging app.
Q: Who develops Signal?
A: Signal Technology Foundation and Signal Messenger LLC.
Q: When was Signal initially released?
A: July 29, 2014.
Q: On which platforms is Signal available?
A: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux.
2. Founding & History
Q: Who co-founded Signal?
A: Moxie Marlinspike and Brian Acton.
Q: What organization preceded the Signal Technology Foundation?
A: Open Whisper Systems.
Q: When was the Signal Technology Foundation established?
A: 2018.
Q: Who provided major funding for Signal?
A: Brian Acton, who donated $50 million.
Q: What was TextSecure?
A: An early encrypted SMS app that later merged into Signal.
3. Features
Q: What communication does Signal support?
A: Text, voice, video calls, file sharing, and group chats.
Q: Does Signal support end-to-end encryption by default?
A: Yes, for all messages and calls.
Q: Can users set disappearing messages?
A: Yes, messages can auto-delete after a chosen duration.
Q: Does Signal support usernames?
A: Yes, as an alternative to phone numbers.
Q: What is Signal PIN?
A: A security feature for restoring profiles and settings.
4. Encryption & Security
Q: What encryption protocol does Signal use?
A: The Signal Protocol.
Q: Has the Signal Protocol been adopted by other apps?
A: Yes, including WhatsApp, Messenger, and Skype.
Q: Where are Signal’s servers hosted?
A: Primarily in the U.S., with metadata minimization practices.
Q: Does Signal store message content?
A: No, only minimal metadata like last connection date.
5. Usability & Limitations
Q: Can Signal messages sync across devices?
A: Yes, through linked devices.
Q: What is a limitation of Signal compared to some apps?
A: Requires a phone number for registration (though usernames are being added).
Q: What is the file size limit for sharing on Signal?
A: 100 MB per file (as of recent updates).
6. Funding & Development
Q: How is Signal funded?
A: Donations and grants, as a nonprofit.
Q: What is the Signal Technology Foundation’s mission?
A: To develop open-source privacy-preserving communication tools.
7. Adoption & Usage
Q: When did Signal see a huge surge in downloads?
A: January 2021, after WhatsApp’s privacy policy backlash.
Q: Who has endorsed Signal publicly?
A: Edward Snowden, Jack Dorsey, and Elon Musk.
Q: Which groups commonly use Signal?
A: Journalists, activists, and privacy advocates.
8. Controversies & Criticism
Q: Why has Signal faced criticism?
A: Use by extremists and criminals for secure communication.
Q: Did governments attempt to block Signal?
A: Yes, in countries like Iran, China, and Egypt.
Q: What did the Trump administration use Signal for?
A: Some officials reportedly used it for secure messaging.
9. Reception
Q: How do security experts view Signal?
A: Widely regarded as one of the most secure messaging apps.
Q: What criticism exists about usability?
A: Less polished than competitors, smaller user base.
