In an era where privacy is under constant threat, one question keeps surfacing among professionals and security-conscious users: who owns Signal? Unlike WhatsApp, Messenger, or Telegram, Signal’s ownership model is unique. Instead of being driven by corporate profits or advertising, Signal is managed by a nonprofit foundation dedicated solely to privacy.
This independence makes Signal one of the most trusted apps among online security professionals, cybersecurity specialists, CEOs, and journalists. Let’s explore who owns Signal, why its ownership structure matters, and what it means for the future of secure communication.
Why Ownership Matters in Secure Messaging
Ownership shapes how technology companies operate. When a messaging app is owned by a giant corporation, the incentives often lean toward monetization, data collection, or targeted advertising.
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WhatsApp & Messenger: Both are owned by Meta (formerly Facebook), a company infamous for harvesting user data.
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Telegram: Privately owned by entrepreneurs, often criticized for opaque decision-making.
Signal, however, is different. Its nonprofit model ensures that privacy—not profit—is the priority.
Who Owns Signal? A Deep Dive
The simple answer: Signal is owned by the Signal Foundation, a nonprofit established in 2018. Unlike other messaging apps, it doesn’t belong to a corporation, government, or billionaire investor.
The Signal Foundation was co-founded by:
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Moxie Marlinspike – a renowned cryptographer and security researcher.
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Brian Acton – the co-founder of WhatsApp, who left Facebook after disagreements about monetization.
Brian Acton invested $50 million of his own money to launch the foundation, ensuring that Signal could operate free from corporate interests.
The Role of Moxie Marlinspike
Moxie Marlinspike, born Matthew Rosenfeld, is the visionary behind Signal’s encryption model. As a cryptographer, he believed that privacy should be accessible to everyone—not just tech elites.
His contribution:
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Developed the Signal Protocol, which powers end-to-end encryption.
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Championed the open-source model, making Signal’s code publicly auditable.
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Served as CEO until 2022, shaping Signal’s privacy-first philosophy.
The Role of Brian Acton
Brian Acton is perhaps Signal’s most famous co-founder due to his history with WhatsApp. After selling WhatsApp to Facebook for $19 billion, he became disillusioned with Facebook’s direction, especially around ads and data monetization.
In 2018, Acton:
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Left WhatsApp and Facebook.
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Donated $50 million to create the Signal Foundation.
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Became Signal’s interim CEO after Moxie stepped down.
His stance is clear: “I left $850 million on the table to stand up for user privacy.”
How the Signal Foundation Operates
The Signal Foundation is registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the United States. This means:
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It has no shareholders.
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It does not generate profit for investors.
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It relies on donations and grants to sustain operations.
This structure gives Signal the freedom to focus entirely on building secure, user-first communication tools.
Signal vs Competitors
Here’s how Signal’s ownership compares with rivals:
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WhatsApp – Owned by Meta, revenue driven by integration with Facebook ecosystem.
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Telegram – Privately owned by Pavel Durov, funded by private investors and premium subscriptions.
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Signal – Owned by a nonprofit, funded by donations and community support.
For professionals who value independence, Signal stands out as the least conflicted option.
Why Professionals Trust Signal
Signal’s ownership is just part of the story. Its technology also fuels trust.
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End-to-End Encryption: Based on the Signal Protocol, considered the gold standard.
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Open-Source Code: Anyone can inspect it for vulnerabilities or backdoors.
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Minimal Data Collection: Signal only stores your phone number and basic metadata, unlike Meta-owned apps.
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Trusted by Experts: Edward Snowden, Elon Musk, and top journalists endorse Signal for secure communication.
For CEOs, security leaders, and IT professionals, these features translate into confidence that their messages are private and uncompromised.
Challenges and Criticisms
Signal isn’t without challenges:
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Funding Sustainability – Being donation-based means the foundation must continually raise money.
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Government Scrutiny – Governments often target Signal because encrypted apps can resist surveillance.
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Usability Issues – Some users find Signal’s features limited compared to WhatsApp or Telegram.
Still, its nonprofit independence shields it from the data monetization trap plaguing most tech platforms.
The Future of Signal’s Ownership and Mission
The Signal Foundation has committed to staying independent, nonprofit, and community-driven. Future priorities include:
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Expanding global infrastructure.
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Improving user experience while maintaining strong security.
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Scaling donations to ensure financial stability.
For now, Signal remains one of the few major apps truly owned by its users, not by corporations.
Conclusion
So, who owns Signal? The answer is simple: no corporation, no government, no billionaire—just the Signal Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting private communication.
This ownership model sets Signal apart in a crowded field of messaging apps dominated by profit motives. For cybersecurity specialists, CEOs, and professionals, supporting Signal means supporting a future where privacy remains a human right.
CTA: If you value privacy, consider donating to the Signal Foundation. Your support keeps Signal independent, secure, and free for millions worldwide.
FAQs
1. Who owns Signal in 2025?
Signal is owned by the Signal Foundation, a nonprofit organization.
2. Is Signal owned by a company or government?
Neither. It’s a nonprofit, independent of corporate or government control.
3. Who funds Signal’s operations?
Signal is funded by donations, grants, and contributions from users.
4. Is Signal safer than WhatsApp?
Yes. Signal uses the Signal Protocol for encryption and collects far less metadata.
5. Did Elon Musk invest in Signal?
No, but Musk publicly endorsed Signal, leading to spikes in downloads.
6. Can Signal ever be sold?
No. As a nonprofit, it has no shareholders to sell ownership.
7. Who controls the Signal servers?
The Signal Foundation manages and operates its own servers.
8. Is Signal really open-source?
Yes. Its code is available for public review, ensuring transparency.