Signal, the privacy-focused messaging app, has taken the Dutch app stores by storm, ranking as the most downloaded free app on both iOS and Android across all categories this past month. Traditionally, Signal’s popularity surges in response to privacy controversies surrounding other messaging apps and technology companies. With its strong privacy credentials and minimal metadata tracking, Signal stands out as a trustworthy alternative.
As 2025 unfolds, digital privacy tools are seeing a resurgence, especially in Europe. This trend is partly fueled by the policies of the new U.S. administration under President Trump, who has shown favoritism towards big tech companies, sparking a heightened interest in privacy-conscious platforms.
What’s particularly intriguing is Signal’s soaring popularity in the Netherlands, significantly outpacing its growth in neighboring regions. Insights from app-tracking platform Sensor Tower reveal that “new registrations” in the Netherlands have skyrocketed, reportedly increasing by a factor of twenty-five.
Meredith Whittaker, Signal’s President, attributes this dramatic rise to a confluence of reasons: an increased awareness of privacy concerns, growing distrust of major tech companies, and a heightened recognition of digital communication vulnerabilities. Data from AppFigures demonstrates Signal’s impressive climb in the Dutch app rankings, moving from 365th place among non-game iPhone apps as of January 1 to the top spot by February 2. By February’s end, downloads had exploded by 958% compared to December.
The Netherlands’ remarkable embrace of Signal suggests a broader shift in public sentiment towards privacy-centric digital tools across Europe. Rejo Zenger, policy advisor at Dutch digital rights group Bits of Freedom, notes that the current U.S. administration’s alignment with major tech firms has intensified debates about Europe’s dependency on American technology, driving a push for alternatives.
Recent criticism of U.S. tech giants in Dutch media has also contributed, with the public increasingly associating these companies with data protection abuses. Signal, being a non-profit that guarantees encryption of messages and metadata, presents itself as a safer option, distancing itself from the controversial practices of competitors.
Moreover, Signal’s firm commitment to preserving user privacy underscores its appeal. Speaking at RightsCon 25 in Taiwan, Whittaker reaffirmed Signal’s refusal to compromise on privacy, stating they would rather exit any market that demands encryption backdoors than violate users’ trust.
As the battle for digital privacy continues, Signal’s success in the Netherlands may well be a precursor to a larger European movement seeking greater control over personal data and resisting the encroachments of big tech.
