Just four years ago, Elon Musk used Twitter to promote the Signal app, but the situation has changed dramatically. Platform X (formerly Twitter) has started blocking links to this messenger, displaying warnings about potential malware.
Signal, currently recognized as the most secure messenger in Poland—particularly recommended for lawyers and politicians—has come under fire. It stands out mainly for offering end-to-end message encryption and storing data locally rather than using cloud servers. The actions of Platform X’s owner against Signal raise particular suspicions, especially in the context of using this app to share sensitive information about Musk’s own decisions.
Musk Blocks Signal Links on Platform X
As of February 16, 2025, Platform X has systematically started blocking links to the Signal.me domain [1]. The restriction covers all attempts to share links in three key areas: public posts, direct messages, and user profile descriptions.
Users attempting to publish Signal.me links receive various error messages:
"We cannot complete this request because the link has been identified as potentially harmful."
"This request appears to be automated."
"Profile update failed. The description was deemed as malware." [2]
However, the ban applies only to the Signal.me domain, while links to Signal.org and other messengers, such as Telegram, remain functional [2]. Additionally, previously published Signal.me links remain active, though an alert about a potential threat appears when attempting to open them [3].
Security researcher Tommy Mysk, who first discovered this restriction, compared the situation to earlier actions taken against Mastodon [2]. It is worth recalling that in 2023, after Musk’s takeover of Twitter, the platform temporarily blocked links to competing services such as Facebook, Instagram, and Mastodon [4].
X has not issued an official statement explaining the reasons for the ban [2]. However, users have found a workaround—rather than sharing Signal.me links, they post their identifiers, which can be copied and pasted directly into the app [5].
Signal Responds to Musk’s Actions
In response to Platform X’s actions, Signal issued an official statement reminding users of its built-in censorship bypass feature [6]. The Signal team also emphasized that they would make every effort to keep the messenger available to all users, regardless of region or restrictions.
Above all, Signal stands out from other messengers due to its approach to privacy. Unlike WhatsApp, owned by Meta (formerly Facebook), Signal does not collect user metadata or information about groups [7]. Additionally, the app provides end-to-end encryption for all forms of communication, including text messages, voice calls, and video chats.
However, the most significant distinguishing feature of Signal is its inability to share any user data, even at the request of authorities [7]. The messenger only stores two basic pieces of information:
The date of the user’s first registration
The last login to the app
Signal has also introduced additional security features, such as SIM card duplication protection and the ability to automatically delete messages after a set time [7]. These security measures make Signal the preferred choice for individuals seeking maximum privacy in digital communication.
The Messenger Market Is Changing Rapidly
Market statistics show significant differences in messenger popularity. WhatsApp dominates with 2 billion users worldwide, while Messenger has 1.3 billion and WeChat 1.2 billion active users [8].
However, user preferences in the messenger market are clearly shifting. Growing concerns over data privacy are prompting more people to seek alternative solutions [9]. While Signal currently has around 50 million users [8], it is experiencing a significant rise in popularity, especially in the business and government sectors.
Additionally, the business communication market is undergoing substantial changes. Companies are increasingly focusing on data security in internal communications [10]. Many institutions cannot use public networks due to the risk of classified information leaks [11].
In the context of organizing protests and social movements, users seek tools that are easy to use, lightweight, and functional across all operating systems [9]. Meanwhile, for some users, the most crucial factor remains whether their friends also use a given messenger [8].
The Polish messenger market is also evolving. The absence of a native business messenger with significant popularity means that companies often rely on free solutions, provided their security policies allow it [11]. System administrators in firms look for solutions that enable control over security levels and user permissions.
Conclusions
To summarize, Elon Musk’s actions against Signal highlight the growing tension in the online messaging market. The blocking of Signal.me links on Platform X reflects the intensifying competition in the digital communication sector.
However, Signal maintains its position thanks to its unique security features and end-to-end encryption. The increasing number of users, particularly in the business and government sectors, confirms that privacy is becoming a key factor in choosing a messenger.
Ultimately, despite the global dominance of WhatsApp and Messenger, Signal proves that there is significant demand for secure and private communication tools. The current situation may accelerate the development of new solutions in the field of secure digital communication, especially for companies and institutions requiring the highest level of data protection.