X is blocking links to Signal

X users are currently unable to post links to Signal.me, which are used to quickly and securely send direct messages to Signal users. A variety of failure notifications are being reported when X users attempt to post Signal links on the platform, some of which identify the blocked message as containing spam, harmful content, or malicious activity. 

When my colleague tried, he was met with an error message saying “something went wrong, but don’t fret — let’s give it another shot.” The issue was first reported by Matt Binder, who notes that only Signal.me links appear to be impacted. Links to the Signal.org domain do not appear to be blocked, nor do similar services like Telegram.

Signal is notably used by journalists to receive confidential information from sources, reassured by the knowledge that messages are end-to-end encrypted and stored on-device. The messaging service has become especially relevant in recent weeks as a tool for federal whistleblowers to report DOGE activity to the press.

Alongside being blocked from sharing Signal.me links in public posts and direct messages, users are also discouraged from clicking existing links published prior to the ban, and prevented from adding them to their profile bio. An error message displayed when the latter is attempted says the update failed due to the new description being “considered malware.”

It wouldn’t be the first time that X has attempted to stifle third-party services being promoted on the platform. Links to Facebook, Instagram, Mastodon, and other rival social platforms were briefly blocked in 2022 after Elon Musk attempted to tackle “relentless advertising of competitors for free.” Substack links were also throttled and restricted in 2023 after it released its own Twitter-like “Notes” feature.

These situations differ, however, as Signal isn’t a direct competitor to X. We have asked X if Signal links are being intentionally blocked and will update this story if we hear back. Signal user handles can still be published on X at the time of writing, which can be copied and pasted into the Signal app as a workaround.

from The Verge https://ift.tt/9wxf4IU