Signal · Signal Privacy Policy · View original document ↗

Message History Stored on User Devices Only

Medium severity High confidence Explicitdocumentlanguage Common · 274 of 352 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)

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

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

Your message history resides on your device, meaning Signal does not retain it on its end.

How other platforms handle this

Upwork Medium

Developer must promptly and securely delete all Upwork User Data collected from Upwork users upon request of the Upwork user, when the Upwork user deactivates or uninstalls the Developer Application, when the Upwork user closes their account with Developer...

Whatnot Medium

We keep your personal information where we have an ongoing legitimate business need to do so (for example, to provide you with our Services or to comply with applicable legal, tax or accounting requirements).

Faire Medium

We generally retain your personal information for only as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, including for the purposes of satisfying any legal, accounting, or reporting requirements...

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▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
Your message history is stored on your own devices.

— Excerpt from Signal's Signal Privacy Policy

Applicable regulations

GDPR
European Union
Indiana Consumer Data Protection Act
US-IN

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-038122
Document ID
CA-D-00305
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
https://signal.org/legal/
Wayback Machine
View archived versions →
Content hash (SHA-256)
c987bd00ea1fa41c8839b08b6e171831f324f37a5caf9a73223693d82c3902da
Analysis generated
April 18, 2026 11:58 UTC
Methodology
summarize_document-v8
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: Signal
Document: Signal Privacy Policy
Record ID: CA-P-038122
Captured: 2026-04-18 11:58:17 UTC
SHA-256: c987bd00ea1fa41c…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/signal/signal-privacy-policy/provision/CA-P-038122/message-history-stored-on-user-devices-only/
Accessed: July 12, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
Medium
Categories
Data retention

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does Signal's Message History Stored on User Devices Only clause do?

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

How does this clause affect you?

Your message history resides on your device, meaning Signal does not retain it on its end.

How many platforms have this type of clause?

ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 274 platforms. See the full comparison.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with Signal?

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