Why is Signal #1 in the Netherlands? - Privacy & Security

Signal's Surge in Popularity in the Netherlands

The privacy-focused messaging application, Signal, has experienced a significant increase in downloads within Dutch app stores over the last month. It frequently ranks as the most downloaded free application on both iOS and Android platforms, encompassing all categories, according to data from various app-tracking services like Sensor Tower.

Fluctuating Popularity and Core Principles

Throughout its history, Signal has witnessed periods of heightened popularity, often coinciding with alterations in policies at competing platforms such as WhatsApp or in response to global political developments. This is largely due to Signal’s established reputation as a more privacy-respecting alternative.

The application is managed by a non-profit foundation, based in the United States, rather than a for-profit entity prioritizing data monetization. Furthermore, Signal minimizes the amount of metadata it collects and retains.

Context of Increased Privacy Concerns

Considering the anticipated political landscape of 2025, with a potential change in U.S. leadership and a perceived alignment between Big Tech and the new administration, the growing interest in digital privacy tools is understandable. This trend is particularly pronounced in Europe, a region that has faced criticism from President Trump.

Focus on the Netherlands

However, the current surge in Signal’s popularity is particularly striking within a specific geographic area: the Netherlands.

Insights from Signal's President

In a recent interview with the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, Signal President Meredith Whittaker revealed that the number of “new registrations” originating from the Netherlands has increased by a factor of 25 compared to the previous year. The specific timeframe for this comparison remains unclear.

When questioned about the reasons behind this growth in the Netherlands, Whittaker attributed it to a confluence of factors, stating: “Increasing awareness regarding privacy, a lack of trust in large technology companies, and a growing realization among citizens about the potential vulnerabilities of digital communication.”

Data Analysis of Signal's Rise

App intelligence firm Appfigures provided data to TechCrunch illustrating Signal’s ascent in the Netherlands. According to their findings, Signal held the 365th position among non-game iPhone applications in the Netherlands on January 1st and was not featured in the top overall apps list.

Beginning around January 5th, the app began to climb the rankings, ultimately reaching the number one position by February 2nd. Signal has intermittently held the leading spot in the weeks since, maintaining the top position for approximately half of February, including every day since February 22nd.

Download Statistics and Market Comparison

Appfigures estimates that combined downloads across both Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play Store reached approximately 22,000 in December 2024. This figure rose to 99,000 in January and further increased to 233,000 by February – representing a 958% increase since December.

While some of this growth can be attributed to lower existing user saturation in the Dutch market, Signal’s sustained top ranking compared to similarly sized neighboring countries is noteworthy.

“No other markets demonstrate growth comparable to that observed in the Netherlands between December and February,” AppFigures communicated to TechCrunch.

For instance, Belgium experienced a download increase of over 250% since December, Sweden saw a 153% rise, and Denmark recorded a 95% increase.

The Question of Mass Adoption

Therefore, what could be driving this apparent “mass adoption moment” for Signal in the Netherlands, as one Reddit user described it?

Growing Adoption of Signal

Rejo Zenger, a senior policy advisor with Bits of Freedom, a Dutch digital rights organization, indicated that while identifying a single cause is challenging, the recent surge in Signal's popularity isn't unexpected.

Recent events in the United States, specifically the alignment of major platform providers with the current administration, have generated considerable public and media discussion. Europe's dependence on technology originating from large, privately-held U.S. corporations has become a central theme within this discourse.

“The Netherlands, similar to many other nations, exhibits a substantial reliance on the infrastructure offered by exceptionally powerful technology firms, predominantly based in the U.S.,” Zenger explained to TechCrunch. “The implications of this reliance, and the associated risks, have become increasingly apparent in recent weeks. Consequently, public discussion within the Netherlands has been notably focused.”

Previously, conversations centered around choices like ‘which messaging app to utilize,’ but now, the debate has escalated to address the fundamental issue of ‘reducing this dependency.’"

Within this framework, the public may be associating market dominance with concerns regarding data protection violations. Given the frequent investigations and penalties levied against companies such as Meta for their data privacy practices, Signal can be perceived as a more favorable option.

Signal, while also U.S.-based, is operated as a nonprofit organization committed to end-to-end encryption of both message content and associated metadata.

Vincent Böhre, the director of Dutch privacy advocacy group Privacy First, also highlighted the role of increased media attention and a broader change in public sentiment.

“Following the recent election results in the U.S., there has been extensive criticism of both Trump and [Elon] Musk within Dutch – and European – mainstream media, including critiques of American Big Tech companies that appear to be aligning with Trump,” Böhre stated to TechCrunch. “Reports critical of X (formerly Twitter) and Meta are now frequently appearing in Dutch media outlets.”

This has led to a shift in Dutch public opinion, with even individuals previously unconcerned about privacy and security in social media now demonstrating interest in ‘privacy-focused’ alternatives, particularly Signal.

A Potential Indicator of User Preference

The Netherlands, despite its relatively small population of 18 million, is currently experiencing a significant increase in Signal app downloads. This surge in adoption may foreshadow a wider European trend, particularly as governmental bodies prioritize the reduction of privacy obstacles.

Governmental Pressure on Encryption

Recent actions by Apple demonstrate the growing tension between privacy and governmental access. The company was compelled to disable end-to-end encryption within iCloud in the United Kingdom to prevent the implementation of a backdoor.

Signal’s Firm Commitment to Privacy

At RightsCon 2025, held in Taiwan, Meredith Whittaker, representing Signal, restated the platform’s resolute dedication to user privacy.

Whittaker emphasized that Signal will not compromise its strong privacy and security features. This includes resisting any attempts to weaken encryption, regardless of whether they are framed as client-side scanning or feature-specific encryption removal, as seen with Apple in the U.K.

Resistance to Data Storage Mandates

In a separate interview with Swedish broadcaster SVT, Whittaker indicated that Signal would not adhere to a proposed Swedish law mandating message storage by messaging applications.

Complying with such a law would necessitate breaking the encryption that underpins Signal’s core functionality. Whittaker stated that storing data would fundamentally compromise the platform’s architecture, and the company would rather exit the Swedish market entirely than concede this point.

TechCrunch contacted Signal for further comment, but had not received a response as of the time of publication.