Elon Musk’s social media platform X is currently preventing users from sharing links to the encrypted messaging app Signal. This issue was initially highlighted by tech journalist Matt Binder on his Substack blog. A verification by Digital Trends confirms that any links featuring the “Signal.me” URL are being restricted on X.
Similar to WhatsApp, which uses a “WA.me” URL format for direct message sharing, Signal employs the “Signal.me” approach, allowing users to click the link and access a one-on-one chat instantly.
When I attempted to share a Signal chat link on my X profile, I received an error stating that the post could not be sent. As I moved to the direct messages section, I also tried to share my “signal.me” link with several friends, but was met with the same failure.
Attempts to insert a Signal link in public posts or direct messages result in an error without any clear explanation. However, trying to add the link in my X bio flagged the “Signal.me” URL as malware.
X is also disabling the ability to click on Signal links from previous posts. As of now, there has been no official statement from the platform clarifying the rationale behind this block. Users are cautioned that existing Signal links may be deemed malicious, deceptive, or contravening X’s policies.
Interestingly, X isn’t banning Signal as a term. I successfully shared my Signal username in posts and direct messages without encountering any issues.
Binder suggests that the restriction on Signal links could be linked to government employees previously dismissed by the DOGE agency, led by Musk, who are possibly seeking to anonymously whistleblow to journalists.
This isn’t the first occasion X has blocked links to competing platforms. In 2020, the site began restricting links to rival social media like Instagram, Mastodon, and Facebook.
Musk proclaimed, “Casual sharing of occasional links is acceptable, but extensive free advertising for competitors is not.” However, the backlash led to the lifting of the restrictions shortly afterward, following criticism from former CEO Jack Dorsey.
Signal has long been a favored tool for journalists, activists, and whistleblowers, mainly due to its commitment to confidentiality and the prevention of identity exposure. The app employs end-to-end encryption by default along with strong account verification measures.
