Telegram CEO Raises Concerns About Signal’s Security
In a recent post on his Telegram channel, CEO Pavel Durov voiced strong reservations about the security measures of Signal, a competing messaging app. Durov’s remarks came after a report in City Journal drew connections between Signal’s funding origins and the US government’s Open Technology Fund, suggesting potential ties to US intelligence.
While acknowledging the lack of concrete evidence, Durov questioned the integrity of Signal’s encryption and its claimed independence from governmental influence. He pointed to the app’s shared encryption technology with other major platforms, suggesting a uniform approach potentially influenced by US tech policy.
Durov expressed skepticism regarding the confidentiality of Signal’s user communications, alluding to high-profile instances where Signal messages have surfaced in legal proceedings. Nevertheless, he did not provide specific cases to substantiate this claim.
Signal’s practices were juxtaposed with WhatsApp’s handling of its source code. Durov criticized WhatsApp for not making its code publicly available, implying that their privacy assurances lacked credibility.
Issues surrounding the reproducibility of the iOS version of Signal were also highlighted. Durov indicated that this limitation hinders users’ ability to verify the app’s authenticity against its open-source counterpart. Security experts have acknowledged the technical challenges posed by Apple’s iOS environment in this regard, noting that Telegram faces similar constraints due to DRM encryption.
The timing of these criticisms is noteworthy, as they follow Durov’s hints at a potential initial public offering for Telegram, which could position the company for future financial growth. This move might serve to amplify the scrutiny directed at rival messaging services.
Representatives from both Telegram and Signal have yet to respond to requests for comment on these claims.