Signal, the secure messaging app known for protecting digital privacy, has launched its long-awaited backup feature. The update introduces two plans, free and paid, both secured with end-to-end encryption. For years, users risked losing their conversations when devices broke or disappeared. Now, Signal solves that problem without compromising its mission of privacy.
The company designed the system to give users full control over their data. Devices encrypt chats and media before sending them to servers. Signal never stores recovery keys, passwords, or metadata that could reveal message content. Even if someone breached the servers, they would find only unreadable data. This approach proves that Signal values security more than convenience.
Free and Paid Backup Options
Signal offers two plans to fit different needs. The free plan backs up all text messages and stores 45 days of media. For many, that level is enough since texts matter more and media often loses importance quickly.
Users who want full access can subscribe for $1.99 per month. This paid tier includes 100 GB of storage, enough for about 50,000 photos or hundreds of high-definition videos. The cost is small compared to commercial cloud services and ensures complete archives stay safe.
Both plans protect data with the same encryption. Signal cannot read backups from either plan. The only difference lies in storage limits and how long media stays available. With this balance, Signal keeps the service inclusive while funding its nonprofit operations.
Privacy at the Core
The system uses a unique 64-character recovery key generated directly on each device. Users alone hold the key. If they lose it, they lose access to the backup permanently. This design demands responsibility but guarantees that only the rightful owner can unlock the archive.
Signal avoids linking backups to phone numbers, emails, or payment details. Even subscribers pay separately without tying transaction records to stored data. This policy sets Signal apart from rivals that rely on third-party cloud platforms with weaker safeguards.
The feature also respects Signal’s disappearing messages. Any texts set to vanish or already deleted do not appear in backups. This choice ensures that privacy rules apply consistently.
Broader Impact on Messaging Apps
Signal’s decision affects the industry as well. WhatsApp encrypts backups but saves them on external cloud services, raising questions about third-party access. Telegram still does not encrypt all chats end-to-end. By contrast, Signal proves that messaging apps can combine usability and strong privacy.
The nonprofit model strengthens that position. Instead of relying on advertising or selling user data, Signal sustains itself with donations and low-cost subscriptions. Over time, this path may inspire other platforms to adopt stronger protections if they want user trust.
The community has reacted with approval. Many users on online forums say the paid plan feels affordable compared to cloud competitors. Others welcome the free option as more than enough. Some also hope Signal will allow people to choose storage locations in the future, like personal servers or external devices, for even more control.
Signal confirms once again that it stands for more than simple communication. With encrypted backups, it closes a long-standing gap while keeping privacy intact. Users gain peace of mind, knowing their conversations and media remain safe without handing power to outside services.
This move sends a clear message to the tech industry: privacy and usability can coexist, and sustainable business models do not require exploiting personal data. Readers who want to explore encryption and privacy across other messaging apps can continue with related articles on Olam News that cover digital rights and cross-platform security.
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