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March 27, 2025 | 05:29 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Signal app has recently been making headlines following revelations that senior officials in the U.S. government under Donald Trump used it as their communication platform. What draws even more attention is that they utilized the app to discuss secret war plans.
According to Arab News, the plan was exposed after The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief was accidentally added to an elite U.S. officials’ group chat. The magazine reported the incident in an online article published on Monday, March 24, 2025.
The discussion reportedly contained operational details about an upcoming attack on Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. "Including information about targets, weapons the US would be deploying, and attack sequencing" said The Atlantic’s Editor-in-Chief, Jeffrey Goldberg.
In Indonesia, Signal is less popular compared to messaging apps like WhatsApp (WA) or Telegram. However, it has gained traction among users who prioritize deeper privacy protection. While many apps now offer encryption features, Signal remains one of the pioneers and is considered among the most private messaging platforms to date.
According to USA Today, Signal has been widely used over the past decade since its launch in 2014. It has earned a reputation as one of the most secure messaging platforms globally, as it does not track user data or store metadata such as timestamps, IP addresses, or group names.
"Rather than being stored on a server, all the data shared through Signal is saved only on the users' devices. Signal also gives users the possibility to hide their phone number from others," USA Today wrote.
Here are some key privacy and security features offered by Signal:
1. Built-in Screen Lock
Cited from Fossbytes, this feature activates a screen lock to protect messages from unauthorized access. It supports biometric authentication on Android and iOS, allowing easy unlocking without third-party apps.
2. Two-Factor Authentication PIN
Signal provides an additional security layer with a PIN for two-factor authentication. This PIN is required when reinstalling the app, backing up and restoring messages, and verifying identity.
3. Relay Calls
While Signal allows voice and video calls, these can be tracked through IP addresses. Users can prevent tracking with the Relay Calls feature, one of Signal's best-hidden tools for private communication.
4. Screenshot Blocking
Cited from Make Use Of, another standout feature of Signal is its ability to block screenshots within the app. Similar to Snapchat, this prevents users from capturing screenshots of chats or other app content.
5. Message Timer
With disappearing messages enabled, users can set a timer for messages to automatically delete after both parties have read them.
6. Incognito Keyboard
Users can configure Signal to disable a keyboard app’s personalized history when typing messages. This feature works with all major keyboards, including SwiftKey, Gboard, and others.
7. Custom Notifications
Normally, Signal displays the sender's name and a message preview on the lock screen when a new message arrives. However, users can choose to receive notifications showing only the sender’s name without a message preview.
8. Face Blur in Photos
Users can opt to blur faces in photos before sending them on Signal. This built-in feature further enhances privacy.
Ananda Ridho Sulistya and Muhammad Rafi Azhari contributed to the writing of this article.
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