Mass digital migration of users to messaging platform Signal

Mass digital migration of users to messaging platform Signal

Part of: GS Prelims and GS- III – Sci & Tech

In news 

• Facebook-owned WhatsApp recently updated its privacy policy which led to a mass digital migration of users from the messaging platform to its rivals such as Signal app.

Important value additions

• Signal is a cross-platform centralized encrypted messaging service developed by the Signal Technology Foundation and Signal Messenger LLC. 
• The non-profit Signal Foundation was launched in 2018 with initial funding of $50 million from Brian Acton.
• It uses the Internet to send one-to-one and group messages, which can include files, voice notes, images and videos. 
• It can also be used to make one-to-one and group voice and video calls.
• Signal uses standard cellular telephone numbers as identifiers and secures all communications to other Signal users with end-to-end encryption.

Recent Development:

• On 7 January 2021, Signal saw a surge in new user registrations due to a WhatsApp privacy policy change and a Signal endorsement by Elon Musk and Edward Snowden via Twitter.
• Between 12 and 14 January 2021, the number of Signal installations listed on Google Play increased from over 10 million to over 50 million.