The encrypting messenger signal is getting a lot of new users. The reason is that WhatsApp forces its users to approve the sharing of additional data with Facebook. Perhaps a tweet from Tesla founder Elon Musk also contributed to the growth at Signal. The inflow even overloaded Signal’s registration process for a short time.

In WhatsApp’s updated privacy policy, it says under Others: “As part of the Facebook company, WhatsApp receives information from other Facebook companies and also shares information with other Facebook companies”. If you want to continue using WhatsApp, you have to agree to the new terms of use – by February 8th at the latest. So far, WhatsApp users had the right to restrict the transfer of data.

Asked WhatsApp alternatives Many people did that Not well received by users, including Elon Musk. Yesterday he wrote briefly “Use Signal” on Twitter. That was shared more than 20. 000 times within half a day and has almost 200. 000 Get likes.

Both together apparently lead to a rush on WhatsApp alternatives like Signal. Shortly after the Musks tweet, Signals’s SMS gateway was unable to send the verification codes that are required for new registrations. However, this was remedied at short notice in cooperation with various Internet services, as Signal itself reports on Twitter.

Signal not only enables end-to-end encrypted text messages, but also secure voice and video calls . Since December, Signal has also supported encrypted video group calls, i.e. those with several people at the same time. Initially up to five participants can make fully encrypted video calls, soon there will be more.

(fds)