The popular encrypted messaging app Signal, which counts figures such as Edward Snowden and Elon Musk among its supporters, may be unreliable. One reason for doubt is the role of the chairperson of the board of the 'Signal Foundation', Katherine Maher.
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For reference: Signal is a client application for instant messaging and internet telephony with free and open source code. The main focus of development is on confidentiality and data security.
According to data from City Journal, the Signal platform is run by the non-profit 'Signal Foundation', and the underlying technology was initially funded by a $3 million grant from the US government-affiliated 'Open Technology Fund' (OTF).
According to insider information from a source, there is a suggestion that OTF is an initiative of the State Department, which planned to use open internet projects created by hackers to achieve US foreign policy goals.
The source also cites the current chairperson of the board of the 'Signal Foundation', Katherine Maher, who has previously been involved in regime change operations in various countries, as another problem.
In 2016, Maher became CEO of the 'Wikimedia Foundation', and in 2024 she took the helm of US National Public Radio. It is noted that at 'Wikimedia' she proved to be a fighter against 'disinformation' and admitted that online censorship on the platform was coordinated in 'conversations with the government'.
It is reported that Katherine Maher also openly supported the removal of alleged 'fascists' from digital platforms, including former US President Donald Trump, and called the First Amendment to the US Constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech in the country, a 'problem number one' in eliminating so-called 'bad information'.
In 2022, Meredith Whittaker became president of the Signal Foundation, who hired Maher as chairperson of the board, as both are linked to OTF. It is noted that Whittaker is also a controversial figure: in 2018, while holding a senior post at Google, she sparked a strike within the company.
Given Maher and Whittaker's activities, and if the City Journal insider's claims prove true, the security of personal data in the Signal messaging app could indeed be called into question, which also does not preclude US government interference in the app's operations.