Governance document

CA-D-000305

Signal Privacy Policy

Signal

Last change detected April 18, 2026 Privacy policy

SHA-256: 22835e8785154a23468… 1 version captured 0 changes documented

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This page describes what the document states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability may vary by jurisdiction. Methodology

58 Total

24 High severity

26 Medium severity

8 Low severity

Key Facts

What is Signal's aggregate liability relating to its Terms or its Services?

Signal's aggregate liability relating to, arising out of, or in any way in connection with its Terms, itself, or its Services will not exceed one hundred dollars ($100).

Does Signal's aggregate liability exceed one hundred dollars?

Signal's aggregate liability relating to, arising out of, or in any way in connection with its Terms, itself, or its Services will not exceed one hundred dollars ($100).

What basis does Signal provide its Services on?

Signal provides its Services on an 'as is' basis without any express or implied warranties, including warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.

Does Signal provide its Services with any express or implied warranties?

Signal provides its Services on an 'as is' basis without any express or implied warranties, including warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.

What law governs Signal's Terms and disputes between Signal and users?

California law governs Signal's Terms and any disputes between Signal and users, whether in court or arbitration, without regard to conflict of law provisions.

Does California law govern Signal's Terms without regard to conflict of law provisions?

California law governs Signal's Terms and any disputes between Signal and users, whether in court or arbitration, without regard to conflict of law provisions.

Will the Signal Parties be liable to users for lost profits or consequential, special, punitive, indirect, or incidental damages?

The Signal Parties will not be liable to users for any lost profits or consequential, special, punitive, indirect, or incidental damages relating to, arising out of, or in any way in connection with Signal's Terms, Signal, or its Services.

What damages will the Signal Parties not be liable for relating to Signal's Terms, Signal, or its Services?

Where do users agree to resolve any Claim against Signal?

Users agree to resolve any Claim against Signal exclusively in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California or a state court in San Mateo County, California.

Will users resolve any Claim against Signal in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California or a state court in San Mateo County, California?

Users agree to resolve any Claim against Signal exclusively in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California or a state court in San Mateo County, California.

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Summary

Signal does not sell or monetize your personal data or messages, and your message history is stored on your own device, not Signal's servers. By using Signal, you agree that your encrypted data and metadata may be transferred internationally. If something goes wrong, Signal's financial liability to you is capped at $100, and Signal can suspend or end your access at any time for any reason.

Analysis

Signal's Privacy Policy establishes that Signal does not sell, rent, or monetize users' personal data or content in any way, and stores message history on users' own devices rather than Signal's servers. Users' encrypted information and metadata are transferred to the United States and other countries as a condition of using the Services. Signal disclaims all express and implied warranties, caps its aggregate liability at $100, and excludes liability for lost profits and consequential, special, punitive, indirect, or incidental damages. Signal retains sole discretion to modify, suspend, or terminate user access at any time for any reason, and requires users to use its Services only for legal, authorized, and acceptable purposes. California law governs all disputes, with exclusive venue in specified federal or state courts in California.

What this means for you

Signal does not treat your personal data or content as a revenue source in any form. Your message history stays on your device, not on Signal's infrastructure. When you use Signal, you consent to the cross-border transfer of your encrypted information and metadata. Signal provides its Services without warranties and its total financial liability to you for any harm connected to the Services is capped at $100, with no recovery available for lost profits or consequential damages. Signal's Services do not connect you to emergency services such as police, fire departments, or hospitals, so you cannot rely on Signal in a crisis requiring emergency response. Signal may modify, suspend, or terminate your access at any time for any reason.

Institutional Analysis

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Featured, High severity

Aggregate Liability Cap of One Hundred Dollars Compare →

No matter how significant a harm a user suffers in connection with Signal's Terms or Services, the maximum financial recovery from Signal is $100.

Added July 10, 2026 Standard Seen across 287 platforms
As-Is Service Disclaimer No Warranties Compare →

Users cannot hold Signal to any implied standard of quality, reliability, or suitability because Signal has disclaimed all such warranties.

Added July 10, 2026 Standard Seen across 287 platforms
California Law Governs Terms and Disputes Compare →

Regardless of where a user is located, California law will apply to any dispute with Signal, and conflict of law rules cannot override this.

Added July 10, 2026 Standard Seen across 267 platforms
Exclusion of Consequential and Punitive Damages Compare →

Users cannot recover categories of damages beyond direct damages from the Signal Parties, no matter the nature of the harm suffered.

Added July 10, 2026 Standard Seen across 287 platforms
Exclusive Jurisdiction in California Courts Compare →

Users are contractually required to litigate claims against Signal only in specific California courts, regardless of where the user is located.

Added July 10, 2026 Standard Seen across 267 platforms
Legal and Acceptable Use Obligation Compare →

Users are contractually bound to limit their use of Signal's Services to legal, authorized, and acceptable purposes, which constrains the permissible scope of use.

Added July 10, 2026 Standard Seen across 282 platforms
No Emergency Services Access Warning Compare →

Users cannot rely on Signal to reach emergency services in a crisis, which has direct safety implications.

Added July 10, 2026 Standard Seen across 287 platforms
Signal May Terminate User Access Anytime Compare →

Users have no guaranteed continuity of access to Signal's Services, as Signal retains the right to modify, suspend, or terminate access at any time for any reason.

Added July 10, 2026 Standard Seen across 263 platforms
Signal Never Sells User Data Compare →

Users' personal data and content are not treated as a revenue source by Signal under any circumstances.

Added July 10, 2026 Standard Seen across 279 platforms
Signal Owns All Intellectual Property Rights Compare →

All intellectual property associated with Signal's Services is owned by Signal, which defines the boundaries of what users may use without authorization.

Added July 10, 2026 Standard Seen across 257 platforms
User Consent to Data Practices and Transfer Compare →

Users consent to cross-border transfer of their encrypted information and metadata as a condition of using Signal's Services.

Added July 10, 2026 Standard Seen across 288 platforms

Featured, Medium severity

Message History Stored on User Devices Only Compare →

Because message history is stored on user devices rather than Signal's infrastructure, Signal does not hold or control users' message archives.

Added July 10, 2026 Standard Seen across 275 platforms