Signal is considering withdrawing from Australia as the government advocates for backdoor access to data.
Signal CEO Meredith Whittaker has stated that if the Australian government compels the app to surrender encrypted user data, she is willing to withdraw Signal from the country. Whittaker described such a demand as turning Signal into a “gangrenous foot,” undermining the app’s core mission of prioritising user privacy and security. The Director-General of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, Mike Burgess, has advocated for tech companies to grant law enforcement access to encrypted communications to aid in national security investigations, citing concerns that secure platforms are exploited by extremists.
In an interview with The Australian, Whittaker emphasised that a government gateway to private encrypted data contradicts Signal’s fundamental purpose, which is to minimise user data collection. She asserted that Signal’s commitment to end-to-end encryption and robust privacy protections remains unwavering. Whittaker illustrated her point by stating that even under extreme duress, she would be unable to provide data because it is not accessible to her. She reiterated that the preservation of user privacy is the reason for Signal’s existence.