> I was wondering why Signal hadn't caught on more.
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.
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.
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.
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).
Basically has all non-animated Telegram stickers. Easiest way to find is to search by name if you have some favourite packs.