Signal has soared in popularity in the Netherlands, topping app charts in February due to rising privacy concerns driven by distrust of big tech. In an interview, President Meredith Whittaker revealed that new registrations have surged 25 times this year, as users become more aware of their data vulnerabilities. Signal’s not-for-profit foundation model and minimal metadata tracking distinguish it from competitors like WhatsApp, attracting users who value privacy over services monetizing personal data. The app’s growth highlights a significant trend in digital communication preferences across Europe.
Signal has made a name for itself as a more privacy-friendly option - it's operated by a not-for-profit foundation rather than a private business known for monetizing data.
In an interview with Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, Signal president Meredith Whittaker noted that the number of 'new registrations' in the Netherlands were higher this year by a factor of 25.
Whittaker pointed to a combination of factors: 'Growing awareness of privacy, distrust of big tech, and the political reality in which people realize how vulnerable digital communication can be.'
Data provided to TechCrunch from app intelligence firm AppFigures charts Signal's rise in the Netherlands, hitting top spot overall by February 2.
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