Signal is the number-one downloaded app in the Netherlands. But why?

Privacy The messaging app signal The most downloaded free app for iOS and Android is flying flying in the Dutch App Store these last month as a free app All Categories, per data from multiple app-tracking platforms Such as censor towerThe

The app has felt a lot of popularity over the years for years, often in response to Change the policy of rivals like WhatsApp Or GeoThe Because signal has created a name for itself as a more privy-friendly alternative — it is a basis that is not a profitable basis (even a US-based in the United States) instead of a private business known for cashing. Furthermore, the signal tracks the minimum metadata.

In 2025, with a new US President empowered by the warm embrace of Big Tea, digital privacy equipment has a moment – especially in Europe, which is not unusual The annoying attraction of President TrumpThe

However, what is interesting this time is the specialty of the signal in a very specific locale-Netherlands.

A Interview with Dutch newspaper D Telegraph, Signal President last week Meredith Whitaker It has been mentioned that the number of “new registration” in the Netherlands was high by a factor of 25 this year, although the exact time of time for this information is not clear.

Whiteker said, “Why the Netherlands saw why the Netherlands saw such an increase in the combination of whitaker reasons:” Privacy about privacy, distrust of big technology, and political reality where people understand how weak digital communication can be, “said Whitaker.

Data provided to TechCrunch from the app intelligence agency AppFigures Growth of Charts Signals in the Netherlands. According to its data, it was said that the signal was on January 1 in the Netherlands 365th ranked non-game iPhone app and it was not displayed at all in the top overall application list. Then, starting on January 5, it started climbing charts in the Netherlands, and by February 2 it reached the top overall.

The signal has gone to the leadership and out of the weeks in the mid -weeks, spent about half of February at the summit – including each day since February 22. By digging data, Appfigers assume that the total number of downloads in Apple and Google App Stores was about 22,000 (2024). It was upgraded to 99,000 in January and then 233,000 in February – 958% from December.

Although it is possible that this growth can be attributed to the signal to have less saturation than the other markets, the sustainable position of the app is significant at the top of the chart related to the neighboring markets of the same size.

“From December to February, no other market comes closer to the Netherlands,” the AppFigures told Techcunch.

For comparison, the nearest one is Belgium, which downloads has increased by more than 250% since December; Sweden increases 153%; And Denmark has increased 95%.

So why can a Reddator “K” feel the signal to feel the signalMob“In the Netherlands, especially?

Clear signal

ResumeSenior policy adviser to the Dutch Digital Rights Foundation Bits of freedomIt was said that it was difficult to identify a specific cause, but he said he was not surprised.

Has seen recent events in the United States Large platform suppliers fall in line Behind the new Trump rule, and it has supported significant public and media controversy. That debate highlights Europe’s dependence on technology related to huge private US companies.

“The Dutch are very dependent on the infrastructure provided by the most influential technology agencies in the United States, like many others,” Jnger told TechCrunch. “This means what is what is and the risks that come from it have been nicely displayed in the last few weeks. As a result, public controversy in the Netherlands has become relatively sharp. In the past where this problem was simply ‘at the level discussed’I should use any instant messenger‘I now think we’re debating at the higher levels:’We should get rid of this dependenceThe “” “

In that context, the public can confuse the domination with data protection abuse. With regular Meta -like companies Investigation And Fine On the practice of data privacy, the signal may appear as low evil: it is based in the United States, but a non -profit that promises to encrypt not only the contents of messages, However the metada around itThe

Vincent BohreDirector of the Dutch Privacy Organization Privacy is firstAwareness is also directed towards a media-driven growth and a broad change in the opinion of the people.

“Trump has been re -elected a few months ago since Trump was re -elected to the United States ‘beaten’ and [Elon] Dutch – and European media, mainstream media, with the bashing of American Big Tech agencies, which now seem to be Trump’s supporter, “Bohre says TechCrunch.” The articles criticize X [formerly Twitter] And Meta is popping up in Dutch media everywhere, Dutch leads to change of views: Even people who never know or care about privacy and protection on social media have suddenly become ‘privy-friendly’ alternatives, especially signals. “

Signal

Although the Netherlands is a market of 5 million people of more than 700 million European populations, an enthusiasm of loneliness in that market can be seen as an hour across the continent, while governments are trying to reduce privacy barriers.

For example, Apple recently Drawn from the end to the end encryption To fight against official efforts to install a backdoor from the UK iCloud.

Talking Rightscon 25 Whitaker has re -confirmed a location in Taiwan this week that he has said many times In the past: The signal will not compromise with privacy.

“The position of the signal is very clear about this — we will not confuse the guarantee of walk-back, adulteration or otherwise the guarantee of protection and protection that people depend on,” WhiterThe “That partgrification or backdoor is called client-side scanning, or to remove encryption protection from one or other feature similar to the way Apple was pressed in the UK”

Individually, a Interview with Swedish Public Broadcaster SVT, Whitaker said it would not be necessary to save messages to the messaging app-meckers to a proposed new Swedish law.

“In reality, it means to break our encryption, which is the basis of our whole business.” “Asking us to store data will damage our entire architecture and we will never do it. We would rather leave the Swedish market completely. “

TechCrunch reached the signal for comments, but did not hear the time of publication.