Russia Has Blocked the Signal App, Is This the End of Private Messaging?

by Tomáš Valouch, updated August 28, 2024

The end of private communication? Russian authorities have blocked the popular encrypted messaging app Signal, known for its end-to-end encrypted communications.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what the block in Russia means for Signal, why it became a target of the Russian authorities, and how the app itself is responding.

If you’re wondering how to unblock the Signal app we recommend reading our guide.

What is Signal and why is it so popular?

Signal is a free messaging app that puts a strong emphasis on user privacy and security. Its main advantage is end-to-end encryption, which means that only the sender and recipient can read the messages. In addition to text messaging, Signal also allows calling, video calling, group creation and file sharing.

Signal is often referred to as one of the most secure applications for communication. Its open source code allows independent experts to check and verify the security features of the application. The encryption that Signal uses is considered very robust and resistant to eavesdropping.

Activists and dissidents in countries with limited freedom of speech use it to protect their communications and resources. Journalists prefer it for secure communications with whistleblowers and to protect sensitive personal information. Ordinary users often choose it for everyday communications with friends and family due to the end-to-end encryption that competing applications do not offer.

Why was Signal blocked in Russia?

The VPN wiki was unable to find an official statement from the Russian Federation on the blocking of the Signal app. The absence of an official report was also confirmed by the Russian source Бумага: всё о Петербурге.

A few hours later, the Federal Service for Supervision of Telecommunications, Information Technologies and Mass Media Roskomnadzor made a statement on the whole situation to the private independent Russian news agency Interfax.

“User access to the messenger Signal is restricted due to violations of the requirements of the Russian legislation whose fulfillment is necessary to prevent the use of the messenger for terrorist and extremist purposes,”

The reason for the blocking of the Signal app is therefore allegedly due to the failure to comply with the requirements of Russian legislation. The Russian Federation is therefore allegedly concerned about the use of this platform for terrorist and extremist purposes.

The blockage has been confirmed by NetBlocks, a cybersecurity monitoring organisation. According to NetBlocks, the blocking was carried out specifically through an internet provider in Russia

Signal app statement

The Signal app has shared important information on the X platform regarding its availability. It highlighted the fact that the app is blocked in several countries, and in response advised users to use proxy servers. In addition, Signal provided instructions on how to set up and use the proxy servers so that users can continue to use the app even if it is blocked.

Signal also encouraged the community to contribute to the best of their ability by creating their own proxy servers to help extend the availability of the service to those in censorship-affected areas. In addition, the app reminded the community of the existence of a “Censorship circumvention” feature in the settings that can help restore access to the app in the event that it is blocked.

In other important news, the Signal team is already working on an even more advanced feature that should provide more reliable block circumvention.