Why Signal Deserves Your Trust When Politicians Don't

A straightforward guide to truly private messaging in the wake of Washington's "Signalgate"

Signal offers everyday users the same privacy that makes it attractive to government officials. (AI-generated image)

It was early spring in the Netherlands when, between walks in the awakening forest on my island, I followed the unfolding drama in Washington. Like many of you, I was astonished, as was much of America, when "Signalgate" erupted. The revelation that numerous top-level Washington officials have been using Signal, a secure messaging app, to share military attack plans that should have followed the most stringent security rules for secret communication has sparked intense debate.

Interestingly, Signal was doing precisely what it was designed to do—providing secure, private communications—even if it was used irresponsibly by all in the group except for Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, who has behaved responsibly. This raises a practical question many of us should consider: What makes Signal different from other messaging apps, and should everyday users—with nothing to hide from congressional investigations—consider it for their own communications? Today, I'll answer that question and guide you through setting up Signal; if you don't plan to discuss state secrets anytime soon, it's among the safest communication tools you can use. And: it is a free app.

For those just joining Screen Skills, welcome! This newsletter provides practical digital advice without technical jargon. I focus on tools that give you the biggest benefit with the smallest learning curve – perfect for those who want to enhance their digital life without turning it into a second career.

Now, let's explore today's main topic: Signal and why it might be worth adding to your digital toolkit.

What Is Signal and Why Should You Care?

Signal is a free messaging app focused on privacy and security. While it looks and functions similarly to WhatsApp or other messaging apps you might already use, what happens behind the scenes sets it apart.

Think of most messaging apps like sending a postcard – the message itself is visible to anyone who handles it along the way. Some apps, like WhatsApp, put that postcard in an envelope (encryption) but still track information about who's sending postcards to whom and how often.

Signal, by contrast, is like having a private courier who delivers your sealed letter directly to its recipient and immediately forgets the entire interaction—there are no records of who sent what to whom, when, or how often.

The Key Features That Make Signal Different

1. End-to-end encryption by default: All messages, calls, and media are encrypted so that only you and your recipient can read them – not even Signal can access your conversations.

2. Minimal data collection: Signal doesn't collect metadata about who you're messaging or when (unlike WhatsApp, which collects and stores this information).

3. Nonprofit organization: Signal is developed by the Signal Foundation, a nonprofit funded by grants and donations rather than by selling user data or serving ads.

4. Open-source code: The app's code is publicly available for security experts to review, ensuring no hidden backdoors or vulnerabilities.

5. Disappearing messages: You can set messages to automatically delete after a specified time period (hours, days, or weeks).

For most of us, these features mean a straightforward thing: genuine privacy in our daily communications.

How Signal Compares to WhatsApp

Most of my friends use WhatsApp, and you might use it too. So what's the difference?

Signal vs WhatsApp: Key Differences

Signal:

• Owner: Signal Foundation (nonprofit)

• Business model: Donations and grants

• Message encryption: End-to-end for all communications

• Metadata collection: Minimal (just phone number and last connection date)

• Additional features: Disappearing messages, view-once media, screen security

• Required information: Only your phone number

WhatsApp:

• Owner: Meta (Facebook)

• Business model: Part of Meta's advertising ecosystem

• Message encryption: End-to-end for messages

• Metadata collection: Collects and stores extensive metadata

• Additional features: Similar features added later

• Required information: Phone number and access to contacts

The most significant difference comes down to metadata – information about your communications. While WhatsApp can't read your messages, it collects data about who you talk to, how often, when, and from where. This information becomes part of Meta's user profiles.

Signal, by design, collects almost no metadata. This means there's virtually no digital trail of your communications beyond the fact that you use the app.

Getting Started with Signal: A Step-by-Step Guide

Setting up Signal is surprisingly simple:

1. Download the app:

   • Search for "Signal Private Messenger" in your device's app store

   • Look for the developer "Signal Foundation" to ensure you're getting the official app

   • Download and install the app (it's free)

2. Register your account:

   • Open Signal and enter your phone number

   • Verify your number with the code sent via SMS

   • Set up a profile name and optional profile picture

3. Set up security features:

   • In Settings, enable screen security to prevent screenshots in app switcher

   • Set up a PIN for additional security

   • Enable disappearing messages by default if desired

4. Start messaging:

   • Tap the pencil icon to start a new message

   • Select a contact who already uses Signal or invite someone new

   • Begin messaging securely

5. Explore additional features:

   • Create secure group chats

   • Make encrypted voice and video calls

   • Send disappearing photos and messages

   • Use the desktop app by linking to your phone

That's it! The interface is intuitive enough that if you've used other messaging apps, you'll feel right at home.

When to Use Signal and Getting Others Onboard

I've found Signal particularly valuable for professional communications, health and personal matters, financial discussions, travel planning, and group organization, where privacy matters. While it might be overkill for casual "What's for dinner?" texts, it provides valuable peace of mind for anything you wouldn't want to be exposed publicly.

The biggest hurdle with Signal isn't technical – it's social. A messaging app is only valid when your contacts use it too. Start with small groups for specific purposes, highlight the simple interface, avoid technical jargon about encryption, and be patient during the transition. Most people I've introduced to Signal find it no more complicated than WhatsApp and appreciate the privacy focus once they understand it.

Screen Skills Growth Update: Six Weeks and Counting

It's been just over six weeks since I launched Screen Skills, and I'm thrilled to report we've reached 531 subscribers! That represents nearly 100 new readers since our last update—a growth rate that continues to exceed my expectations.

For those following the meta-story of building this newsletter from the ground up, this steady growth suggests a genuine need for technology advice that bridges the gap between overly technical guides and overly simplified instructions.

Your engagement has been valuable. I've noticed that the AI tools newsletters have been especially popular, which helped shape today's topic – secure communication is another area where many want straightforward guidance without technical overwhelm.

Screen Skills Newsflash

Privacy App Usage Surging: Following recent political scandals, downloads of privacy-focused apps like Signal have increased significantly. For example, in the U.S., Signal downloads surged by 45% on a single day after the security breach involving government officials using Signal to discuss details for a military attack. Globally, Signal downloads increased by 28% compared to the daily average over the previous month.

WhatsApp's New Features: In response to competitors, WhatsApp recently introduced enhanced privacy settings, including hiding your online status from specific contacts and leaving groups silently. These updates reflect a growing industry awareness of user privacy concerns.

Telegram's User Verification: Telegram introduced a third-party account verification system, allowing verified organizations (e.g., educational consortiums and regulators) to authenticate other accounts. Verified accounts display a logo instead of the traditional blue checkmark, aiming to combat scams and misinformation.

Apple's Privacy Labels Update: Apple has refreshed its App Store privacy labels, making it easier to see exactly what data messaging apps collect. When comparing messaging apps, these labels provide a quick visual of what information you're sharing.

Your Questions Answered

A subscriber asked: "I've heard Signal is for people with something to hide. Is it overkill for regular people like me?"

This is a common misconception. Using privacy tools doesn't mean you have anything nefarious to hide – it simply means you value your fundamental right to a private conversation in a digital age.

Think of it this way: You probably close your bathroom door even when home alone, use envelopes for postal mail, and speak quietly about personal matters in public. These aren't suspicious behaviors; they're standard privacy practices we've developed for in-person communication.

Signal simply extends those same common-sense privacy practices to your digital communications. It's not about having secrets – it's about maintaining the same level of privacy online that you'd expect in the physical world.

Before I Sign Off

The Washington headlines about Signal use by government officials have put the app in a controversial light. But beyond the politics lies a tool designed with a simple principle: your conversations should be as private as you want them to be.

Whether you choose to use Signal or another messaging app, understanding the privacy implications of your digital communications is increasingly important in today's connected world.

Next week, I plan to explore apps that help identify birds and other wildlife—a topic that bridges my work here with my environmental newsletter, The Planet. If you're interested in both technology and nature, you'll find this particularly helpful as spring migration is in full swing across the Northern Hemisphere.

Thank you for being part of the Screen Skills community. If you find these newsletters valuable, consider becoming a paid subscriber. Not only will you support Screen Skills' continued growth, but you'll also gain insight into the newsletter-building process itself – perfect for anyone curious about creating their own Substack publication.

Until next time,

Alexander

P.S. Do you use different messaging apps for different groups of people? I'd love to hear about your approach to digital communication in the comments.