Signal sees onslaught of users as WhatsApp introduces new privacy policies

Messaging app Signal has witnessed a sudden burst of new users days after WhatsApp announced its new privacy policy. Scores of users thronged to Signal after WhatsApp changed its terms of service and introduced new policies. Signal, the encrypted messaging app, struggled to generate verification codes due to the onslaught of new users.

Acknowledging the issue on Twitter, Signal wrote, “Verification codes are currently delayed across several providers because so many new people are trying to join Signal right now (we can barely register our excitement). We are working with carriers to resolve this as quickly as possible. Hang in there.”

“Everyone should be able to register without delay again. Thanks to all of the carriers who flipped the right switches so that people can keep switching,” another tweet read.

WhatsApp’s policy was not the only reason why people switched to Signal, Tesla supremo Elon Musk had a major role to play. Known for never mincing his words on social media, Musk tweeted a meme suggesting that Facebook had a role to play in the Capitol building attack. In another tweet, he suggested users to “Use Signal”.

Signal is known for its up-to-date security features.Time and again it has been debated that Signal is a more secure messaging platform than WhatsApp.Signal had introduced some of the features like disappearing messages way back in 2016 but WhatsApp introduced the feature in 2020. Signal is also less susceptible to vulnerabilities as compared to WhatsApp.

WhatsApp collects a lot of information about its users, the Signal Messaging app does not collect any such sensitive information about its users. The App Privacy label of Signal showed that the data which the app collects from the user is not linked to them. The only data that Signal seems to collect from its user is the Contact Info. Signal uses the open-source Signal Protocol to encrypt all forms of communication on the app. While WhatsApp only encrypts the messages and calls, Signal encrypts the metadata too.

WhatsApp’s new privacy policies have left the users divided. The Facebook-owned messaging app has specifically notified users that in order to continue using the WhatsApp services, one needs to accept users Our Services have optional features which, if used by you, require us to collect additional information to provide such features. You will be notified of such a collection, as appropriate. If you choose not to provide the information needed to use a feature, you will be unable to use the feature. For example, you cannot share your location with your contacts if you do not permit us to collect your location data from your device. Permissions can be managed through your Settings menu on both Android and iOS devices,” WhatsApp said in a blog.