As part of my journey towards digital freedom, I have chosen to take an important step away from Meta’s ecosystem. Here, I explain why I am replacing Messenger with Signal and how you can follow along.
The Search for a Worthy Messenger Alternative
From the beginning of my #BigTexit25 project, it was clear that Messenger would be one of the harder services to replace. Not because there is a lack of alternatives, but because a communication platform only works if your network also uses it.
I thoroughly investigated several options:
- Matrix/Element – A decentralized, federated protocol with strong encryption and open standards
- Signal – Focused on security and privacy with end-to-end encryption
- Telegram – Broad functionality, but with some privacy compromises
- WhatsApp – Still owned by Meta, so not a real alternative in my context
After careful consideration, I have chosen Signal as my primary messenger platform going forward.
Why Signal and Not Matrix?
Technically, Matrix is an impressive project. The federated structure is reminiscent of email – anyone can host a server, and users on different servers can communicate seamlessly. This aligns perfectly with my vision of a decentralized internet.
However, pragmatism also plays a role in my #BigTexit25. It’s not just about choosing the technically best solution, but also about finding platforms that have realistic chances of broad adoption.
Signal has:
- Simple onboarding – Works just like other messenger apps with a phone number as ID
- Well-known user interface – Intuitive and straightforward for most smartphone users
- Strong security – End-to-end encryption that has become the industry standard
- Established user base – Many already have Signal installed
- Non-profit organization – Runs on donations, not ads or data collection
- Open source – The code is open for inspection, ensuring transparency
Unlike Meta’s products, Signal does not analyze your messages to target ads, does not sell your data, and collects minimal metadata.
Benefits of Switching to Signal
Switching to Signal offers several concrete benefits:
- Enhanced security – All conversations are automatically end-to-end encrypted
- Better privacy – Signal collects minimal data about you
- No ads – No annoying advertisements or “suggested content”
- No algorithms – No manipulation of what you see or prioritization of content
- Fewer distractions – No “Stories,” “Reels,” or other attention traps
- Greater control – Signal gives you control over your data, including chat backups
- Fewer notifications – No constant “reminders” to open the app
Challenges of the Transition
I am realistic about the challenges:
- Network effect – The value of a communication platform depends on who uses it
- Habits – It takes time to change daily communication habits
- Functionality – Some users may miss certain Messenger features
But I believe the benefits outweigh these challenges. And I have noticed that many in my network already have Signal installed but use it only secondarily. It’s about reversing this situation.
How to Get Started with Signal
If you want to follow along or just stay in touch with me in the future:
- Download Signal from the App Store or Google Play
- Register with your phone number
- Invite your contacts (Signal can help find who among your contacts already uses the app)
- Create groups for your communities
Signal supports text, images, videos, voice messages, group chats, video calls, and voice calls – all with strong encryption.
Still Keeping an Eye on Matrix
I continue to explore Matrix. There are some exciting possibilities. For example, running bridges on your own server that connect different IM platforms. It could be that you could establish a functioning bridge between Messenger and Signal – via Matrix 😉
Matrix also offers the possibility to provide an IM service to users you create and strictly control who has the ability to chat. An advantage if, like me, you could use it to establish chat in an association with young people.
Conclusion: A Step Towards Digital Freedom
My switch from Messenger to Signal is an important step in my #BigTexit25 journey. It’s not about technophobia, but about making conscious choices about who I trust with my communication and data.
I hope you will consider joining me on this journey. Not because I expect everyone to share my concerns about Big Tech, but because I believe we all deserve communication platforms that respect our privacy and don’t constantly try to capture and hold our attention.
Are you already on Signal? Or do you have questions about the transition? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments or message me directly – on Signal, of course! Look for my phone number or ask for my contact info directly.
If you haven’t already jumped on your phone to install Signal and send me a message, you can read a bit more background about Signal here…
Signal’s Reach – Global and in Denmark
How widespread is Signal, really? Surprisingly, quite a lot. Globally, the app has grown explosively in recent years. By the end of 2020, Signal had about 20 million monthly users; in January 2022, the number was already over 40 million, and the latest estimates point to around 70 million active users globally in 2024. A large part of the growth came in the wake of WhatsApp’s controversial privacy update in January 2021, when millions of people fled to Signal. In fact, Signal was downloaded about 8.8 million times in the week after WhatsApp’s announcement (compared to just 246,000 the week before). Signal thus became the most downloaded app in several countries that month.
What about Denmark? Here, Signal is still less widespread than, for example, Facebook Messenger, but interest is growing. At the beginning of 2025, there was almost a doubling (+95%) in the number of new Signal downloads in Denmark in just two months. The trend is mirrored in the rest of Europe – in the Netherlands, download figures simultaneously rose by 958% – driven by increased focus on privacy and growing tech skepticism. In short, Signal is no longer an obscure niche app; millions of people worldwide – including many here at home – use it, and the number is steadily growing.
Why Can You Trust Signal?
My switch to Signal is primarily about trust. I want to be able to send messages without fear of someone listening in – and here, Signal has some clear advantages that most can understand. First, Signal is open source. This means that all source code is publicly available, so independent experts can continuously review it for security flaws or “backdoors.” In fact, the code is regularly audited (through formal security checks) precisely because transparency is paramount. This openness provides extra reassurance: if there were anything fishy in the code, it would be quickly discovered.
Second, Signal is not owned by Big Tech or run for profit. The app is operated by the Signal Foundation, a non-profit fund established in 2018 by, among others, encryption expert Moxie Marlinspike and WhatsApp co-founder Brian Acton, who personally invested 50 million dollars in the project. There are no ads, no data sales – Signal is not meant to make money from your information. This independence and value-driven approach make it easier to trust that Signal truly acts in the users’ interest.
Finally, Signal’s security speaks for itself. The app’s encryption protocol has been thoroughly tested by independent researchers and passed its first major security analysis with flying colors – without any critical vulnerabilities. Cryptographers concluded that Signal’s architecture is well-designed and resistant to attacks. Signal’s technology is considered the “gold standard” in encrypted messaging today and is also used by other major services such as WhatsApp and Skype. When even whistleblower Edward Snowden has publicly recommended using Signal (and the CIA allegedly has the app installed as standard on employees’ phones), you feel you are in good company. All this gives me peace of mind: Signal is trustworthy.
But don’t just take my word for it – investigate it yourself and make your own choices.
This post is part of my #BigTexit25 project, where I am working to reduce my dependence on Big Tech platforms throughout 2025. Read more about the project on my blog.
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