The secure messenger 'Signal' has surpassed 200,000 monthly active users (MAU) in South Korea. Analysts say Signal is experiencing a 'quiet windfall' as users seek stronger privacy protections, especially in light of increased crackdowns on crimes committed via another secure messenger, Telegram.

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According to Mobile Index, a data platform operated by IGAWorks, Signal's domestic MAU surged from 165,293 in May to 215,858 in June. This represents an increase of more than 50,000 users in just one month. This is the first time Signal has surpassed 200,000 MAU in South Korea.

Signal is a messenger app launched in 2014 by the US nonprofit Signal Technology Foundation. It emphasizes end-to-end encryption and a strict no-ads, no-tracking policy. Both voice calls and text messages are encrypted, and deleted records are difficult to recover even through forensic analysis. Because of these features, Signal was recognized early on as a 'secure messenger.' In 2021, Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, personally recommended using Signal, causing its international download rankings to surge.

Recently, Signal's growth in South Korea has been driven by changes affecting its competitor, Telegram. According to the National Police Agency, since October last year, Telegram has responded to more than 95% of requests for investigative data from Korean police. As a result, some users' trust in Telegram's anonymity?long considered a 'blind spot' for investigations?has weakened. This has led users seeking stronger privacy protections to migrate to alternative platforms like Signal.

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The use of Signal by politically sensitive figures has also influenced its image. In the United States, key officials in the Trump administration reportedly used Signal for internal communications. Usage has also been steadily increasing in regions with active anti-government movements, such as Latin America and Eastern Europe. The growing perception of Signal as a 'platform that prioritizes anonymity and security above all else' is positively impacting its user base expansion.

Signal has also reportedly been used as a high-level communication tool in South Korean politics. Earlier this year, during the National Police Agency's Emergency Martial Law Special Investigation Team's probe, media reports revealed that former President Yoon Seokyoul exchanged messages via Signal with security office officials, instructing them to block the execution of arrest warrants during emergencies. It is also known that, during the previous administration, Signal was used within the presidential office for certain secure communications. The fact that high-ranking officials have used Signal for sensitive message exchanges has further reinforced its image as a 'secure messenger.'

However, there are concerns behind Signal's rapid growth. The fact that message tracking is virtually impossible is an advantage for ordinary users who need security, but it also raises concerns that the app could be abused as a haven for criminal activity. Police and cybersecurity experts warn that, following the crackdown on Telegram, there could be a 'balloon effect' with criminals migrating to Signal.

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Signal's market share in South Korea remains small. As of June, Telegram had 3,602,786 MAU, meaning Signal accounts for only about 6% of that figure. However, the fact that Signal surpassed 200,000 users this month?an increase of over 30% in just one month?carries significant symbolic weight. An IT industry official commented, "Signal is notable not for its sheer number of users, but because its user base is clearly defined. It can serve as a barometer of the behavior of those who are especially sensitive to security and anonymity."