You must be at least 13 to use Signal, and in some countries the minimum age may be higher; Signal acknowledges that parental approval may be required in certain jurisdictions.
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
The 13-year minimum aligns with US COPPA requirements, but the vague reference to higher minimums in other countries without specifying them or describing any verification mechanism may be insufficient for GDPR compliance, which sets a 16-year digital consent threshold in many EU member states.
Interpretive note: The policy acknowledges higher age thresholds in some countries without specifying them or describing verification mechanisms, creating ambiguity about GDPR Article 8 and COPPA compliance implementation.
Users under 13 are not permitted to use Signal; users between 13 and 16 may require parental consent depending on their country, but the policy does not describe how this is verified or enforced.
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"You must be at least 13 years old to use our Services. The minimum age to use our Services without parental approval may be higher in your home country.Excerpt from Signal's Privacy Policy
REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: COPPA requires verifiable parental consent for users under 13 in the US, and the FTC is the primary enforcement authority.
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The 13-year minimum aligns with US COPPA requirements, but the vague reference to higher minimums in other countries without specifying them or describing any verification mechanism may be insufficient for GDPR compliance, which sets a 16-year digital consent threshold in many EU member states.
Users under 13 are not permitted to use Signal; users between 13 and 16 may require parental consent depending on their country, but the policy does not describe how this is verified or enforced.
ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 290 platforms. See the full comparison.
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