Elon Musk has once again sounded the alarm on messaging app security, stating plainly that “WhatsApp is not secure” and describing even Signal, the gold standard for encrypted chat among privacy advocates as “questionable.” The comments, made in a series of X posts and replies on January 29, 2026, reignited debate over end-to-end encryption, government backdoors, and the trustworthiness of popular messaging platforms.
Musk’s remarks came amid ongoing discussions about digital privacy, government surveillance, and the role of big tech in data collection. In response to users asking about secure alternatives to mainstream apps, Musk wrote:
“WhatsApp is not secure. Even Signal is questionable.”
He followed up in threaded replies, emphasizing that no major messaging app can be fully trusted due to potential vulnerabilities, metadata collection, or pressure from governments and intelligence agencies. Musk has long been critical of WhatsApp (owned by Meta), pointing to its ties to Facebook’s broader data ecosystem and past controversies over privacy policy changes that drove millions to Signal in 2021.
Musk’s latest comments align with a growing distrust among conservatives toward Big Tech apps, especially those owned by Meta, Google, or Apple—companies seen as too cozy with governments and too willing to censor or share data.
Signal, developed by the nonprofit Signal Foundation and widely endorsed by Edward Snowden and security researchers for its open-source protocol, remains the most trusted encrypted messenger by privacy advocates. However, Musk’s “questionable” label taps into lingering skepticism about any app requiring a phone number or operating in the U.S. legal jurisdiction.
