This article was published on December 3, 2015

Snowden’s preferred messaging app Signal comes to the desktop


Snowden’s preferred messaging app Signal comes to the desktop

Open Whisper Systems has launched a desktop version of its free secure messaging app Signal. It’s the same service NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden uses, so it’s perfect for all your super-secret correspondence.

Signal is now available in beta as a Chrome app, and lets you send text, picture, and video messages in one-on-one and group chats. As with other cross-platform services, you’ll be able to retrieve your conversations and contacts across all your devices.

Secure messaging service Signal is now available in beta as a Chrome app
Credit: Open Whisper Systems
Secure messaging service Signal is now available in beta as a Chrome app

However, you’ll need an Android device to link your account on desktop. That means that iOS users will have to wait a bit before they can try it out.

You’ll also have to wait in line to access the Chrome app. At the time of writing, there were nearly 7,000 people in the queue to try Signal. Still, if you’re looking for a secure messaging service, it might be worth taking a number to give it a go.

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Signal has been available on iOS for some time now. It launched on Android last month, integrating RedPhone’s service to allow users to make secure calls.

Signal Desktop [Open Whisper Systems]

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