But unlike most other apps, Signal collects no data about you. Whittaker: Well, you know, it really depends on the app we’re talking about. Kimberly Adams: How does the way that Signal handles communications differ from other apps? So how do we continue building high-availability software without having that source of financing? Signal doesn’t participate in the surveillance business model that underwrites so much of the tech industry.

Where are we going? How are we getting there? I’m also thinking a lot about building a model for long-term sustainability. Meredith Whittaker: My focus overall is going to be on guiding strategy. The following is an edited transcript of their conversation. Marketplace’s Kimberly Adams recently spoke with Whittaker about the future of the company, how she’d like to grow Signal without monetizing their users’ data and digital privacy issues at large. She’s been on Signal’s board since 2020 and says she plans to continue the company’s focus on encryption. Signal’s staff is small compared to those of messaging apps like Telegram, WhatsApp or iMessage - which comes pre-installed in iPhones - but it’s growing.įormer Google researcher and digital privacy advocate Meredith Whittaker just signed on as Signal’s new president and today is her first day on the job. Signal consistently ranks as one of the more popular choices for privacy advocates, and the app is increasingly being used by people beyond the cybersecurity crowd. More folks are paying attention to things like encryption and the security of their messaging apps. There have been a lot of conversations here on “Marketplace Tech” about digital privacy.

Signal app encryption