My data is my data and I should be able to access and control it.
It doesn't allow you to do this on iOS, but I'm guessing your stance on data portability makes your life very hard on iOS anyway.
[0]: https://support.signal.org/hc/en-us/articles/360007059752-Ba...
Pretty much all of the data in the stock apps on my iPhone is easily portable, and most of it is API accessible, meaning I can use multiple apps to view and manipulate it. Apple even publishes a support doc on how to export your data using first-party tools. For any more complex needs, there are plenty of easily accessible 3rd party options.
Signal is an outlier in this respect, and I hope they add this feature before I'm ready for another phone.
It is not the most user friendly approach, but it has been going through iterations and getting better.
Edit: last part is wrong, see sibling
On Windows:
1. Download DB Browser for SQLite https://sqlitebrowser.org/
2. Unpack it and run DB Browser for SQLCipher.exe.
3. Open database, select %APPDATA%\Signal\sql\db.sqlite.
4. In the following dialog, select Raw key type and enter the encryption key stored in %APPDATA%\Signal\config.json into Password field (prefix it with 0x).
5. Now you can work with the database, including exporting its contents to unencrypted SQLite, CSV and JSON.
The process should be similar on other platforms.
I have zero understanding why you would ask this. Every single first party and third party app other than Signal on iOS allow me to include its data in backups and/or export it’s data.
Ah, so only a problem for 40% of Signal users.
There's no technical reason that prevents Signal from doing this; they simply haven't.
Signal backups on Android used to be entirely unencrypted(!), so that hasn't stopped them before.
My circle stopped using Signal when it became apparent that dying/lost/stolen phone also means complete destruction of all memories they store in the conversations (unless you go through a lot of hoops to get autobackup working).
It's pretty much the only chat app of the more marketed ones that will lose all your personal data.
When I want to save something from a conversation in Signal (or slack or email), I copy it out and store it. Signal does not block you accessing your data.
In addition you actually do have an import/export function for your messages if you're on android [1].
[1] https://support.signal.org/hc/en-us/articles/360007059752-Ba...
https://support.signal.org/hc/en-us/articles/360007059752-Ba...
You can do that on Android.
Signal would have to be much better with features everyone (not just the tech-savvy) can appreciate to be able to outweigh Whatsapp's network effect.
The biggest win for Signal (although not for the general public) is if WhatsApp ever compromises on their E2E adoption. Because right now there isn't a significant reason to switch between the two given WhatsApps massive adoption.
One unique feature advantage might be the encrypted contacts stuff they mention in the article, but even then that just keeps them at the top tier privacy wise.
Signal needs so feature that normal people care about to get them to switch from WhatsApp. Not only that - it needs a feature so amazing it trumps WhatsApp's "can communicate with everyone" feature - i.e. everyone uses WhatsApp. That's going to be insanely hard, if not downright impossible.
They may have a chance in America I guess.
FTFY
Seriously, look at the comments on any discussion about some app deploying end-to-end encryption, or having any sort of security issue/change. Its clear that most people simply don't know the difference between "transport encryption" (device-to-server) and "end-to-end encryption" (device-to-device) (and often move the goalposts to cover on-device data at rest too, often out of confusion).
Network effects work both ways, and they're only an insurmountable barrier if you preemtively surrender to them. They're also predominantly built of local components, which allows the change to start small by influencing those smaller groups.
For instance, if the tech-savvy switch to Signal and boycott WhatsApp, you'd have the nucleus of a network effect starting to work in Signal's favor. Some political constituencies would probably find Signal's non-profit organization specially appealing, and could also help form that nucleus.
Social behavior can also start help reenforce and accelerate a more general change. If WhatsApp is treated as unfashionable and dated, while Signal is treated as fashionable and new, some people will be more motivated to switch.
Everyone already uses multiple messaging apps (unless they stick to plain SMS). I doubt we will ever converge on one. However, success for Signal would be encouraging enough people to have it installed that it doesn't have any special friction associated with it.
Signal misses out on this by not offering anonymous user accounts, but otherwise they would have a very clear path to mass adoption.
Basically has all non-animated Telegram stickers. Easiest way to find is to search by name if you have some favourite packs.
Network effect of existing apps and no "Killer feature" for Signal that the layman cares about (Better privacy is not it).