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
WE CANNOT AND DO NOT REPRESENT OR WARRANT THAT OUR SERVICES OR SERVERS ARE FREE OF VIRUSES OR OTHER HARMFUL COMPONENTS. YOU ASSUME THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO THE QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE OF THE SERVICES.
If our Platform is not ordinarily used for personal, household or domestic use, our liability for a breach of your Consumer Law Rights is limited to either resupplying our Services, or paying the cost...
Datadog is not responsible for, and makes no warranties, express or implied, as to, the Third-Party Services or the providers of such Third-Party Services...
"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 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.
Enforcement risk, jurisdiction flags, contract triggers, and due diligence action items.
Get the research letter
Companies change their terms quietly. We read every version and catch what actually changed. One email a week on the changes that matter and what they mean.
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.
ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 286 platforms. See the full comparison.
No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Signal.