Signal · Signal Privacy Policy · View original document ↗

Contact Discovery Data Processing

Medium severity Unique · 0 of 343 platforms
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This analysis describes what Signal's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology

ConductAtlas Analysis

Why it matters (compliance & governance perspective)

The clause establishes the operational mechanism and authorization for contact discovery functionality, clarifying that contact information undergoes cryptographic hashing before transmission and that this process is optional rather than mandatory. This defines the technical scope of what data processing Signal performs when users elect to use the contact discovery feature.

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

Users who elect to use Signal's contact discovery feature authorize the transmission of hashed contact data from their device to Signal's servers for the purpose of identifying which contacts have Signal accounts. The provision describes the cryptographic protection applied during this transmission but does not restrict Signal's ability to perform this processing when the feature is enabled.

How other platforms handle this

Figma Medium

If you are using our Services pursuant to a separate agreement with Figma that includes data processing terms, such as an enterprise agreement, those terms will govern the processing of personal data to the extent they conflict with this Privacy Policy.

Walmart Medium

We collect information about you when you shop in our stores, including through store cameras, loyalty programs, payment processing systems, and other in-store technologies. This information is used to improve store operations, loss prevention, and marketing.

LinkedIn Medium

We target (and measure the performance of) ads to Members, Visitors and others both on and off our Services directly or through a variety of partners, using the following data, whether separately or combined: Data from advertising technologies on and off our Services, like web beacons, pixels, ad ta...

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▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
Signal can optionally discover which contacts in your address book are Signal users, using a service designed to protect the privacy of your contacts. Information from the contacts on your device may be cryptographically hashed and transmitted to the server in order to determine which of your contacts are registered.

— Excerpt from Signal's Signal Privacy Policy

Applicable regulations

Colorado AI Act
US-CO
ePrivacy Directive
European Union
FTC Act Section 5
United States Federal
GDPR
European Union

Provision details

Document information
Document
Signal Privacy Policy
Entity
Signal
Document last updated
May 5, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
April 18, 2026
Last verified
May 10, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-003040
Document ID
CA-D-00305
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
c987bd00ea1fa41c8839b08b6e171831f324f37a5caf9a73223693d82c3902da
Analysis generated
April 18, 2026 11:58 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: Signal
Document: Signal Privacy Policy
Record ID: CA-P-003040
Captured: 2026-04-18 11:58:17 UTC
SHA-256: c987bd00ea1fa41c…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/signal/signal-privacy-policy/contact-discovery-data-processing/
Accessed: June 17, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
Medium
Categories

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Built from archived source documents, structured governance mappings, and historical version tracking.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Signal's Contact Discovery Data Processing clause do?

The clause establishes the operational mechanism and authorization for contact discovery functionality, clarifying that contact information undergoes cryptographic hashing before transmission and that this process is optional rather than mandatory. This defines the technical scope of what data processing Signal performs when users elect to use the contact discovery feature.

How does this clause affect you?

Users who elect to use Signal's contact discovery feature authorize the transmission of hashed contact data from their device to Signal's servers for the purpose of identifying which contacts have Signal accounts. The provision describes the cryptographic protection applied during this transmission but does not restrict Signal's ability to perform this processing when the feature is enabled.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with Signal?

No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Signal.