How it works
The advert-free app allows people to share pictures, videos, documents, voice messages and their location.
The app prioritises privacy through several features. Users can:
• Prevent others from finding them using their phone number
• Create a unique private username that a person needs to know in order to contact them on Signal (not the same as the profile name displayed when chatting)
• Write ‘disappearing messages’ (which cannot be seen after a set period of time) or a ‘story’ (several photos or videos that appear in a slideshow format and disappear after 24 hours)
Signal uses end-to-end encryption so only the people who send and receive a message (or make a voice or video call) can access what has been shared, no one in between (including Signal). However, if a user receives a harmful message then can block the sender and report them. A user can send and receive money using the in-app payments feature.
Parental controls or safety settings available
There are no parental controls on Signal. Safety settings include the ability to block a user or group and turn off ‘read receipts’, which prevent others knowing if their message or story has been viewed or when they are typing a message. Signal’s proxy setting may enable the user to access the app even it is blocked on the local wi-fi network.
