Signal down across the world, users unable to send messages

Signal users are unable to send messages on the app right now and this problem is happening globally. Signal has also tweeted that they are facing technical difficulties.

Signal is facing issues across the world right now and the platform has said they are working on fixing it.  (HT Tech)

It looks like Signal is facing a global outage with people across the world being unable to send messages on the app. Signal has also tweeted about this issued has mentioned “technical difficulties” affecting the app currently. 

Signal is experiencing technical difficulties. We are working hard to restore service as quickly as possible.

— Signal (@signalapp) January 15, 2021

Signal tweeted this from it's official handle roughly an hour ago and we checked our apps and were still facing the same issue. 

Signal users across the world are facing issues with sending messages.  (HT Tech)

Signal users across the world are facing issues with sending messages.  (HT Tech)

Signal has said that they are currently working on the issue and hope to restore things back to normal soon. 

For now, the app has also added a banner on top of chats that mentions - “Signal is experiencing technical difficulties. We are working hard to restore service as quickly as possible.”

The banner Signal has added on the app.  (HT Tech)

The banner Signal has added on the app.  (HT Tech)

Now, many people are speculating that this “technical difficulty” must be a result of the huge number of users Signal has gained almost overnight. Post January 6, Signal and Telegram has seen an unprecedented number of downloads with many WhatsApp users looking for more private options for messaging apps. 

Aruna Harder, Chief Operating Officer, Signal Messenger said, "We have been adding new servers and extra capacity at a record pace every single day this week, but today exceeded even our most optimistic projections. Millions upon millions of new users are sending a message that privacy matters, and we are working hard to restore service for them as quickly as possible."

Nobody, literally NOBODY, has ever designed a system that can gain 40 million users within a matter of days and not have issues.

Take ya time, we'll be here waiting @signalapp

— Karl Davies (@FullStackFool) January 15, 2021

Compared to the other two, Telegram and WhatsApp, Signal collects no data from its users and has also promised that it is never going to share user data or show in-app ads. 

Signal has not explained what might have led to today's issue yet. 

Literally moments after Elon Musk had tweeted to endorse Signal over WhatsApp when the later shared its new privacy policy, Signal had faced issues with new registrations. 

Use Signal

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 7, 2021

Thanks to a huge influx of users, verification codes were not reaching new users leaving them unable to register on the app. 

Verification codes are currently delayed across several providers because so many new people are trying to join Signal right now (we can barely register our excitement). We are working with carriers to resolve this as quickly as possible. Hang in there.

— Signal (@signalapp) January 7, 2021

This issue was subsequently fixed but it looks like Signal, in general, might be having teething issues while dealing with volumes - it is not impossible. For now, it remains to be seen how soon Signal manages to come around.