Signal Provides Only Two Timestamps as Response to Grand Jury Subpoena (2024)

Signal says it can provide only a couple of timestamps in response to a grand jury subpoena for user data that it recently received from the District Court for the Central District of California.

The official document requests a large amount of user information from the end-to-end encrypted, privacy-focused communication service, including a target’s username, name, date of birth, photos, address, email address, financial information, job-related information, activity logs, online behavior information, records of correspondence, and more.

Furthermore, Signal is asked to refrain from informing the respective user of the subpoena.

“Signal still knows nothing about you, but inexplicably the government continues to ask,” the communication platform notes in a blog post.

Furthermore, the company explains that the only pieces of information it can provide as response to the subpoena include the Unix timestamps “for when each account was created and the date that each account last connected to the Signal service.”

Basically Signal doesn’t have access to a user’s messages, name, address, photos, calls, or other data associated with the account, except for the aforementioned timestamps.

The response to the subpoena, in which the American Civil Liberties Union represents Signal, explains that the communication service was designed in such a manner that prevents it from tapping into users’ information or correspondence and that messages and calls are always encrypted and out of reach of third-parties.

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“Users’ calls and messages are always encrypted, so they can never be shared or viewed by anyone except a user and their intended recipients. Likewise, Signal does not have access to its users’ profiles, group membership or group data, contacts, social graphs, searches, or the like,” the response reads.

Thus, as response to the subpoena, Signal provided only the information it could deliver, namely the aforementioned timestamps.

Related: Signal Adds Face Blurring Tool to Protect User Privacy

Related: Encrypted Messaging App Signal Hit by Brief Outage

Signal Provides Only Two Timestamps as Response to Grand Jury Subpoena (2024)

FAQs

Signal Provides Only Two Timestamps as Response to Grand Jury Subpoena? ›

Furthermore, the company explains that the only pieces of information it can provide as response to the subpoena include the Unix timestamps “for when each account was created and the date that each account last connected to the Signal service.”

Does signal respond to subpoenas? ›

Whenever Signal receives a properly served subpoena, they work closely with the American Civil Liberties Union to challenge and respond to it, handing over as little user data as possible.

Can government see signal messages? ›

Signal messages and calls cannot be accessed by us or other third parties because they are always end-to-end encrypted, private, and secure. Did you mean to view: Send a message. Voice or Video Calling.

Does signal work with law enforcement? ›

Our Services do not provide access to emergency service providers like the police, fire department, hospitals, or other public safety organizations. Make sure you can contact emergency service providers through a mobile, fixed-line telephone, or other service.

Does Signal sell your data? ›

Signal is committed to protecting your privacy and the security of your data. Signal cannot sell, rent, or monetize your data or content in any way – ever. Updated Terms and Privacy Policy. Signal is designed to never collect or store any sensitive information.

Can signal messages be subpoenaed reddit? ›

Signal claims it does not store any message data on their infrastructure, so if/when a subpoena is issued for a given Signal user, they have nothing to provide (other than misc metadata, such as "last time client connected" or some such - no message content is supposedly stored on servers).

What are some ways to respond to subpoenas? ›

Recommended Actions
  • Thoroughly read the entire subpoena to find all relevant information.
  • Consult your legal counsel about any questions or concerns.
  • Attempt to informally resolve any issues before submitting a motion to object.

Can Signal texts be subpoenaed? ›

In a blog published this week, Signal said why it again could not comply with a subpoena for user information, explaining that, because of the app's design, such user information never reaches their hands. “It's impossible to turn over data that we never had access to in the first place,” the company wrote.

Is Signal a secret messaging app? ›

Signal is similar to other messaging apps, but with a lot more security features. It's available for free on iPhone, Android, Mac, and PC. Android users can even set their default messaging app to Signal if they want to. On a basic level, you can have one-on-one conversations with someone or start a group chat.

Is Signal really untraceable? ›

Signal conversations are always end-to-end encrypted, which means that they can only be read or heard by your intended recipients. Privacy isn't an optional mode — it's just the way that Signal works. Every message, every call, every time.

Can the FBI read Signal? ›

According to the FBI document, the app that the bureau can get the least amount of information from is Signal. The FBI can only gather the date and time of when an account was created and the last time a user logged in. So if you want genuinely secure communication, Signal is the way to go.

Where is Signal banned? ›

Signal switched from AWS back to Google in April 2019. In January 2021, Iran removed the app from app stores, and blocked Signal. Signal was later blocked by China in March 2021.

Is Signal owned by the government? ›

Signal is a private and secure messaging app owned by the Signal Foundation.

Is Signal Russian owned? ›

The Signal Technology Foundation, commonly known as the Signal Foundation, is an American non-profit organization founded in 2018 by Moxie Marlinspike and Brian Acton.

Why would someone use Signal app? ›

Signal gives you encrypted messages, as well as voice and video calls. It relies on data, so it's a great option for free calls and texts over Wi-Fi. This can be a huge advantage for those of us who don't want to pay for SMS text messages and phone calls, or who want to make free international calls.

Is Signal safer than Messenger? ›

What messaging app is the most secure? According to our privacy experts, Signal is probably the most secure messaging app. Its open-source encryption protocol has become the industry standard for end-to-end message and voice encryption.

Does Signal report to police? ›

When legally forced to provide information to government or law enforcement agencies, we'll disclose the transcripts of that communication here.

What happens if someone doesn't respond to a subpoena? ›

Failure to respond to a subpoena is punishable as contempt by either the court or agency issuing the subpoena. Punishment may include monetary sanctions (even imprisonment although extremely unlikely).

Are subpoenas ever emailed? ›

Subpoenas for documents may be served by mail. If serving by mail add five days to the service time. Service by fax or email is only allowed if you get written permission agreeing to fax or email service from the person being served prior to the subpoena being sent.

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