Ever heard of Signal? It’s a messaging app, but what sets it apart is its top-notch privacy and security. Lots of people who take their personal data seriously love it. So, let’s dive into Signal’s background and find out – when was it born?
Origin of Signal
Two guys sparked Signal into existence – Moxie Marlinspike and Brian Acton. People know Moxie for his cryptography skills and passion for security. He birthed Open Whisper Systems in 2013, a non-profit aimed at crafting secure communication tools.
One year later, in 2014, Signal sprung into the iOS platform from Open Whisper Systems. It sprung as TextSecure, an app geared towards safe texting. As time went, it welcomed voice and video calls, and TextSecure morphed into Signal.
Open to All and Safe as a Vault
What makes Signal stand out? It’s all about its open-source development stance and extra-nifty end-to-end encryption. Open-source? This simply means that anyone can peek at the app’s programming blueprint. Transparency and responsibility reign supreme!
And about end-to-end encryption. It’s like a super safe lock, only the sender and the receiver hold the key. Even Signal, the service provider, can’t peep into your messages. This kind of security ensures that users can chat privately and safely, worry-free.
WhatsApp’s Connection with Signal
Signal, known for privacy, caught the eye of WhatsApp co-founder, Brian Acton, in 2018. Acton, left WhatsApp over a privacy dispute with Facebook, its parent company. Convinced by Signal’s commitment to privacy, he invested $50 million in the app.
The investment enabled Signal to enhance its services and attract a wider audience by expanding its team and adding new features. It gained more fame and was seen as a secure alternative to messaging.
The Rising Fame of Signal
Over the period, Signal has become a go-to app for people and groups caring for privacy and security. Its users have steadily increased, with more joining after events of data breaches and privacy concerns.
Signal has gained endorsements from privacy proponents like Edward Snowden, a former intelligence official. Publicly recommending Signal as a secure messaging tool boosted its reputation.
Launch of WhatsApp’s privacy policy in early 2021 sparked worries among users. More and more users started adopting Signal, viewing it as a more secure alternative. This led to a jump in downloads and new users.
Wrap Up
RephraseSignal was brought to life in 2014 by Moxie Marlinspike and Brian Acton as TextSecure, a secure messaging service. Later on, it introduced voice and video call features, transforming into Signal. Its open-source development and end-to-end encryption attracted privacy-concerned users. With more users and endorsements from privacy champions, Signal remains a favorite messaging tool in the digital space.
