Signal is run by a nonprofit and collects almost no metadata beyond your phone number and last connection date. Messages and calls are end-to-end encrypted by default and the code is open source.
The clauses that could affect you the most. Read these even if you skip everything else.
Signal's total legal liability to you is capped at $100 no matter what.
Disputes must be resolved exclusively in California courts, and there is no arbitration or class-action waiver.
Signal can change the Terms at any time and continued use means you accept them.
Signal explicitly promises never to sell, rent, or monetize your data β a strong pro-consumer stance.
Browse what the terms actually say β filter by severity or by topic.
Phone number required
π₯Data collectionπ¬ You must provide a phone number to sign up, and you consent to receiving verification texts/calls from Signal or its providers.
βTo create an account you must register for our Services using your phone number. You agree to receive text messages and phone calls (from us or our third-party providers) with verification codes to register for our Services.β
Cross-border data transfer
πShares with third partiesπ¬ Your encrypted data and metadata may be transferred to the US and other countries where Signal or its partners operate.
βyou agree to our data practices as described in our Privacy Policy, as well as the transfer of your encrypted information and metadata to the United States and other countries where we have or use facilities, service providers or partnersβ
No data selling (pro-consumer)
π°Sells your dataπ¬ Signal commits to never selling, renting, or monetizing your personal data β a strongly consumer-friendly promise.
βSignal does not sell, rent or monetize your personal data or content in any way β ever.β
Forced auto-updates
πCan change terms anytimeπ¬ You agree to let Signal download and install software updates automatically.
βIn order to enable new features and enhanced functionality, you consent to downloading and installing updates to our Services.β
No new account after ban
βAccount terminationπ¬ If Signal bans your account, you can't make a new one without their permission.
βIf we disable your account for a violation of our Terms, you will not create another account without our permission.β
No emergency services
π‘οΈLimits their liabilityπ¬ You cannot use Signal to call 911 or reach emergency services β keep another phone line for emergencies.
βOur Services do not provide access to emergency service providers like the police, fire department, hospitals, or other public safety organizations.β
Third-party terms apply
πShares with third partiesπ¬ If you access outside services through Signal, those third parties' rules apply, not Signal's.
βWhen you use third-party services, their terms and privacy policies govern your use of those services.β
You retain ownership
πClaims your contentπ¬ You keep ownership of the content you send β Signal does not claim a license over your data.
βYou own the information you submit through our Services.β
Revocable license
βAccount terminationπ¬ Your right to use Signal can be revoked and is standard limited-license language.
βSignal grants you a limited, revocable, non-exclusive, and non-transferable license to use our Services in accordance with these Terms.β
'As is' service, no warranties
π‘οΈLimits their liabilityπ¬ Signal makes no guarantees the service will work, be secure, or be error-free β you use it at your own risk.
βWE PROVIDE OUR SERVICES ON AN βAS ISβ BASIS WITHOUT ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, AND FREEDOM FROM COMPUTER VIRUS OR OTHER HARMFUL CODE.β
$100 liability cap
π‘οΈLimits their liabilityπ¬ No matter what harm you suffer, Signal's total liability is capped at $100.
βOUR AGGREGATE LIABILITY RELATING TO, ARISING OUT OF, OR IN ANY WAY IN CONNECTION WITH OUR TERMS, US, OR OUR SERVICES WILL NOT EXCEED ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($100).β
Release of third-party claims
π‘οΈLimits their liabilityπ¬ You waive claims against Signal for anything connected to disputes you have with third parties.
βYOU RELEASE US, AFFILIATES, DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, PARTNERS, AND AGENTS (TOGETHER, βSIGNAL PARTIESβ) FROM ANY CLAIM, COMPLAINT, CAUSE OF ACTION, CONTROVERSY, OR DISPUTE (TOGETHER, βCLAIMβ) AND DAMAGES, KNOWN AND UNKNOWN, RELATING TO, ARISING OUT OF, OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH ANY SUCH CLAIM YOU HAVE AGAINST ANY THIRD PARTIES.β
Service may be discontinued anytime
π‘οΈLimits their liabilityπ¬ Signal can shut down features or the whole service whenever it wants.
βWe may discontinue some or all of our Services, including certain features and the support for certain devices and platforms, at any time.β
California courts only
πJurisdictionπ¬ Any legal dispute must be filed in specific California courts, which may be inconvenient or costly if you live elsewhere.
βYou agree to resolve any Claim you have with us relating to or arising out of our Terms, us, or our Services exclusively in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California or a state court in San Mateo County, California.β
Termination for any reason
βAccount terminationπ¬ Signal can suspend or terminate your access at any time for any reason, including vaguely-defined 'spirit' violations.
βWe may modify, suspend, or terminate your access to or use of our Services anytime for any reason, such as if you violate the letter or spirit of our Terms or create harm, risk, or possible legal exposure for Signal.β
Terms change via continued use
πCan change terms anytimeπ¬ Signal can change the Terms at any time and simply continuing to use the app counts as agreeing β you must check for changes yourself.
βSignal may update the Terms from time to time. When we update our Terms, we will update the βLast Modifiedβ date associated with the updated Terms. Your continued use of our Services confirms your acceptance of our updated Terms and supersedes any prior Terms.β
Note: Users own the information they submit and can end the Terms at any time by deleting the app. Signal explicitly states it does not sell, rent, or monetize personal data. Formal access/portability rights are not spelled out in the ToS itself.