The Signal Technology Foundation, commonly known as the Signal Foundation,[2][3] is an American non-profit organization founded in 2018 by Moxie Marlinspike and Brian Acton.[4] Its mission is to "protect free expression and enable secure global communication through open source privacy technology."[7] Its subsidiary, Signal Messenger LLC, is responsible for the development of the Signal messaging app and the Signal Protocol.
Signal Technology Foundation | |
 | |
| Predecessor | Open Whisper Systems |
|---|---|
| Founded | January 10, 2018; 6 years ago (2018-01-10)[1] |
| Founders |
|
| Type | 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization |
| 82-4506840[2] | |
| Focus | Open-source privacy technology |
| Headquarters | 650 Castro Street, Suite 120-223[3] |
| Location | |
Area served | Global |
Key people |
(President)[5] |
| Subsidiaries | Signal Messenger LLC. |
Revenue (2021) | $12,765,380[2] |
| Expenses (2021) | $33,117,092[2] |
Staff (2020) | 36[6] |
| Website | signalfoundation |
On February 21, 2018, Moxie Marlinspike and WhatsApp co-founder Brian Acton announced the formation of the Signal Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.[4][8] The foundation was started with an initial $50 million loan from Acton, who had left WhatsApp's parent company, Facebook, in September 2017.[8] The Freedom of the Press Foundation had previously served as the Signal project's fiscal sponsor and continued to accept donations on behalf of the project while the foundation's non-profit status was pending.[4] By the end of 2018, the loan had increased to $105,000,400, which is due to be repaid on February 28, 2068. The loan is unsecured and at 0% interest.[9]
Signal Foundation has been led by a Chairman, which is separate from the leadership roles of Signal Messenger.
As of June 2023, the Signal Foundation board of directors has five members:[10][7]
Emeritus members:[7]
| Formation | 10 January 2018; 6 years ago (2018-01-10)[13] |
|---|---|
| Founders |
|
| Type | Limited liability company[14] |
| Products | Signal, Signal Protocol |
Key people |
|
Parent organization | Signal Technology Foundation |
| Affiliations | Freedom of the Press Foundation[4][15] |
| Website | signal |
Signal Messenger LLC was founded simultaneously with the Signal Technology Foundation and operates as its subsidiary. It is responsible for the development of the Signal messaging app[16] and the Signal Protocol. Moxie Marlinspike served as Signal Messenger's first CEO[14] until stepping down on January 10, 2022.[17] Brian Acton volunteered to serve as interim CEO while the organization searched for a new CEO.[17] In June 2023, Signal announced that Acton would be staying on as CEO following the search.[11]
Along with the Chairman of the Signal Foundation, Signal Messenger has been traditionally led by a CEO. This was until September 2022, when a new role of President was created, which is dedicated to more core lanes of strategy.[18]