Security-Focused Messenger 'Signal' Surpasses 200,000 Monthly Users
No-Ads, No-Tracking Messenger Gains Attention... Over 30% Growth in June
Used by Musk and Former President Yoon... Expanding Presence as a Privacy App
"Security is a Strength, But Untraceability Is a Double-Edged Sword"
The security-focused messenger 'Signal' has surpassed 200,000 monthly active users (MAU) in South Korea. Analysts say that Signal is enjoying a "quiet windfall" as users seek stronger privacy protection features, especially in the context of increased crackdowns on crime via another secure messenger, Telegram.
According to Mobile Index, a data platform operated by IGAWorks, Signal's MAU in South Korea surged from 165,293 in May to 215,858 in June. This marks an increase of more than 50,000 users in just one month. This is the first time Signal has exceeded 200,000 MAU in South Korea.
Signal is a messenger application launched in 2014 by the U.S. nonprofit Signal Technology Foundation. It is known for its end-to-end encryption, no-advertising, and no-tracking policies. Both voice calls and text messages are encrypted, and deleted records are extremely difficult to recover even through forensic analysis. For these reasons, Signal has long been recognized as a "secure messenger." In 2021, its global download ranking soared after Tesla CEO Elon Musk publicly recommended its use.
Recent growth in South Korea is linked to changing circumstances surrounding its competitor, Telegram. According to the National Police Agency, since October last year, Telegram has responded to more than 95% of investigative data requests from Korean police. As a result, trust in Telegram's anonymity?previously seen as a "blind spot" for investigations?has weakened for some users. This has prompted users seeking stronger privacy protection to migrate to alternative platforms such as Signal.
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 is also 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" is having a positive impact on its user base expansion.
Signal has reportedly been used as a high-level communication tool within South Korean political circles as well. Earlier this year, during the National Investigation Headquarters Martial Law Special Investigation Unit's probe, it was revealed through media reports that former President Yoon Suk-yeol exchanged instructions with security officials regarding the prevention of arrest warrant execution during emergencies via Signal. 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 reinforced the app's image as a "secure messenger."
However, concerns have also emerged alongside 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 the risk that the app could be exploited as a criminal hideout. Police and cybersecurity experts warn that, following the increased crackdown on Telegram, there could be a "balloon effect" where criminals migrate to Signal.
Signal's market share in South Korea remains small. As of June, Telegram had 3,602,786 MAU, while Signal's user base is about 6% of that. However, the fact that Signal surpassed 200,000 users this month?an increase of more than 30% in just one month?carries significant symbolic meaning. An IT industry insider said, "What makes Signal noteworthy is not its total user count, but the clear profile of its user base. It can serve as a barometer for the movements of those who are highly sensitive to security and anonymity."
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