Signal cannot be used to call emergency services (such as 911 or 112), and the company advises users to maintain access to traditional phone services for emergencies.
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
Users who rely primarily or exclusively on Signal for voice calls could be unable to reach emergency services in a crisis, creating a real safety risk that the policy appropriately discloses.
Signal calls do not connect to emergency services; users who primarily use Signal for calling should ensure they have an alternative means of contacting emergency services, particularly if they do not maintain a traditional mobile or landline subscription.
How other platforms handle this
Your use of the Services is at your sole risk. Except as otherwise provided in writing by us and to the extent permitted by applicable laws, the Services are provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, express or implied. Without limiting the foregoing, we explicitly disclaim...
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Kit shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential or punitive damages, or any loss of profits or revenues, whether incurred directly or indirectly, or any loss of data, use, goodwill, or other intangible losses, resulting ...
We have implemented appropriate technical and organizational security measures designed to protect the security of any Personal Information we process. However, despite our safeguards and efforts to secure your information, no electronic transmission over the Internet or information storage technolo...
Monitoring
Signal has changed this document before.
Receive same-day alerts, structured change summaries, and monitoring for up to 25 platforms.
"Our Services do not provide access to emergency service providers like the police, fire department, hospitals, or other public safety organizations. Make sure you can contact emergency service providers through a mobile, fixed-line telephone, or other service.— Excerpt from Signal's Signal Privacy Policy
REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: The FCC requires providers of interconnected VoIP services to support Enhanced 911 (E911), but Signal's end-to-end encrypted calling service may not be classified as an interconnected VoIP service subject to these requirements. The FTC's consumer protection authority is relevant where safety limitations are not adequately disclosed. This provision constitutes appropriate disclosure of a known safety limitation. GOVERNANCE EXPOSURE: Low. The provision is a standard and legally appropriate disclosure for internet-based calling services that do not support PSTN interconnection. The safety risk is real but the disclosure is clear and actionable. JURISDICTION FLAGS: EU member states and the UK have regulatory frameworks for emergency services access by communications providers; whether Signal's calling service falls within those frameworks depends on its classification under local electronic communications law. CONTRACT AND VENDOR IMPLICATIONS: Organizations deploying Signal as a primary communications tool should ensure employees are aware of this limitation and have access to emergency services through alternative means. COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Organizations in sectors with duty-of-care obligations (healthcare, education, social services) should formally assess whether Signal deployment as a primary communication tool is compatible with those obligations given the emergency services limitation.
Full compliance analysis
Regulatory citations, enforcement risk, and due diligence action items.
Free: track 1 platform + weekly digest. Monitor: 25 platforms + same-day alerts. No credit card required.
Compliance Governance Intelligence
Need to monitor specific governance provisions?
Compliance includes provision-level monitoring, governance timelines, regulatory mapping, and audit-ready analysis.
Built from archived source documents, structured governance mappings, and historical version tracking.
Users who rely primarily or exclusively on Signal for voice calls could be unable to reach emergency services in a crisis, creating a real safety risk that the policy appropriately discloses.
Signal calls do not connect to emergency services; users who primarily use Signal for calling should ensure they have an alternative means of contacting emergency services, particularly if they do not maintain a traditional mobile or landline subscription.
No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Signal.