Signal is finally bringing its secure messaging to the masses (wired.com)

Article summary

Signal, a secure end-to-end encrypted messaging app, is expanding its features to appeal to a broader audience, with the goal of becoming a mainstream communications platform. The app has added support for iPad, ephemeral images and video, and customizable stickers, among other features. Signal's user base has grown significantly, with over 10 million downloads on Android alone, and the app is now used by a wide range of people, including politicians, activists, and ordinary users. The app's development is supported by the Signal Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded by Moxie Marlinspike and Brian Acton, a co-founder of WhatsApp.

Main themes

• secure messaging
• end-to-end encryption
• mainstream adoption
• feature development
• user experience
• privacy and security

What commenters say

• Some users appreciate Signal's focus on security and privacy, and believe it is essential for protecting sensitive communications.
• Others have criticized Signal for lacking features such as message backup and export, which are available in other messaging apps.
• The app's inability to backup and restore message history on iOS is a significant drawback for some users.
• Some commenters believe that Signal needs to offer more features that appeal to non-technical users in order to compete with other popular messaging apps.
• Others argue that Signal's focus on security and privacy is its main advantage, and that it can gain traction by appealing to users who value these features.
• The difficulty of backing up and restoring Signal messages is seen as a major obstacle to adoption by some users.
• Some users have found workarounds to backup and restore their Signal messages, but these methods are not straightforward or user-friendly.