Signal CEO defends app security following US military leak

Signal President Meredith Whittaker has defended the messaging app’s security in the wake of reports that top Trump administration officials mistakenly included a journalist in an encrypted group chat discussing US military operations in Yemen, Reuters reported. 

Although Whittaker did not directly address the incident, she reaffirmed Signal’s reputation as the “gold standard in private comms.” In a post on X, she highlighted the app’s open-source, nonprofit model and its strict application of end-to-end encryption to protect user data, contrasting it with Meta’s WhatsApp.

Signal has gained popularity in the US and Europe, largely due to its minimal data collection. According to market intelligence firm Sensor Tower, Signal downloads in the US increased by 16% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the previous quarter and saw a 25% rise year-over-year.

In a February interview with Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, Whittaker criticised WhatsApp’s metadata collection policies, stating that even though WhatsApp encrypts messages, it gathers metadata that can reveal communication patterns, including who interacts with whom and how frequently. 

In her X post, she reiterated that when legally compelled, WhatsApp hands over this revealing data to authorities.

In response, a WhatsApp spokesperson defended the app’s use of metadata, explaining that it helps prevent spam and ensures user safety. “We do not keep logs of who everyone is messaging or calling, and we do not track personal messages for ads,” the spokesperson stated.

The security of encrypted messaging apps has been under increasing scrutiny as more government officials and journalists turn to these platforms for confidential discussions. 

While Signal is widely regarded as a highly secure messaging service, the US military leak has reignited debates about the vulnerabilities of even the most secure platforms.