“People are finding that Facebook doesn’t create products for them, but Facebook creates products for their data,” says Aruna Harder, Chief Operating Officer of Signal Messenger, not words, adding that from the user’s perspective, that’s the social environment Network policies are very difficult to understand.
Signal has seen a surge in new users from India following the uproar over WhatsApp’s new privacy policy. It was one of the most downloaded apps in India for most of January. In an email interaction, Harder says that the unique aspect of Signal is that it doesn’t know about anyone. “We don’t collect any data, we don’t have ads, and we are not for profit. We are directly connected to what the millions of people who use Signal want every day. These are the only people we are committed to, not shareholders or investors. So our guidelines are very simple. “
Härter points out that Signal isn’t here to make money. “Signal is an independent, not-for-profit organization and our only mission is to protect people and protect their privacy. We are designed to act in the public interest and try to make a meaningful contribution to society by developing sustainable technologies that respect people and do not rely on the monetization of personal data. “
The exodus from WhatsApp, triggered by the messenger’s new privacy policy, which suggests stronger data sharing with its parent company Facebook, “speaks for itself in terms of where India is on the issue of privacy”. She adds, “It seems that people have voted with their feet (or rather their fingers!) And have cast their vote for a more private messenger.”
Encrypted messaging apps like Signal have enjoyed huge popularity in India since WhatsApp announced changes to its privacy policy. (Image credit: Signal Messenger)
Harder says that, as the global leader in digital adoption and technology, India “will undoubtedly be at the forefront of many of these conversations” as privacy becomes a bigger issue around the world.
“Data protection is not a passing trend. People have always cared about privacy and if anyone should seek evidence, the global movement in recent weeks may be the strongest witness. When a realistic, workable option is offered, people will always care about protecting their privacy. It is their fundamental right to do so, ”she says, adding that users“ have the right to choose who to share it with and not, rather than being forced to adapt ”.
Explained: Why is WhatsApp giving users more time to accept their privacy policy?
In her opinion, this makes Signal the “ideal communication solution” for friends and family, as well as for work environments “where people want to be sure that their business and / or personal information will remain private”.
“Digital conversations on Signal feel just as authentic and secure as the conversations we have in person,” she says, adding that Signal believes, “Privacy and security should be simple and straightforward, just like we are in ours Experience offline life “. The app is designed so that messaging works the way we all assumed it to, just a direct connection between people without third parties tracking or overhearing it. She believes that “the only scary aspect of a messenger is that you have to think twice about who is still reading your messages”.
“When it comes to India specifically, Signal engineers work hard to deliver the features people have requested. Instead of borrowing features, we are more focused on listening to our customers’ requests and working on them accordingly so that we can meet the high standards that people in India expect from us, ”she adds as the team prepares Publishing wallpapers is the most requested feature from India.
