Even the benefits of advanced technological solution can be confronted by a person’s careless activity. Although Signal is safe compared to many other platforms, it should not have been used for sensitive discussions in the US administration.
Signal is a known instant messaging application known for its privacy. On the left is the Pentagon of the US Department of Defense. Adobe Stock / AOP
With the White House messaging scandal, the Signal messaging application, which has reached the headlines, has about 40 million active users. Although the figure is large, it is quite a bit compared to, for example, WhatsApp to two billion, WeChat to 1.3 billion or Telegram to about one billion active users.
However, Signal is highlighted for use that requires a particularly secure communication solution. From the user’s point of view, it does not differ significantly from WhatsApp, for example, and supports not only instant messages but also video and voice calls.
Signal based on open source is privacy. The end -to -end encryption is the default of all communication in Signal, and messages are only stored on the devices of the parties to the discussion.
Security is provided by Signal’s own encryption protocol, which WhatsApp has also been used by. However, Signal is more in principle in the privacy of its users’ privacy.
– We are not linked to large technology companies and we cannot end up in such, the Signal website is proud to say.
However, Signal has not been a communications application approved by the US administration, and sensitive discussions should not have been conducted through Signal. Signalkin can be broken, for example, with malware.
BBC According to Signal, Signal is on the list of communication applications separately by the US Department of Defense and should not be used to process or transmit non-public information on the Ministry of Defense. The same list also includes WhatsApp.
Behind the foundation
Signal owned by the unprofitable Signal Technology Foundation Foundation, behind the original WhatsApp being founded Brian Acton. Acton sold WhatsApp Facebook for $ 19 billion in 2014.
Signal is strictly attached to the reputation of a reliable communication tool, which is the reason why the application is favored in circles where there is demand for privacy.
For example, Signal is not agreeing to the European Union claim that would oblige it to screen messages in the event of material for children’s sexual abuse. This would require the construction of the back gate into the encrypted system.
-If the alternatives were to either weaken encryption, create vulnerability to our network and deceive hundreds of millions of people, or leave the EU market, we would, of course, leave the EU market, the chairman of the Signal Foundation Meredith Whittaker told To the general last fall.