Signal, a messaging app known for its strong focus on user privacy, has seen a significant surge in popularity in the Netherlands, becoming the most downloaded free app in the country's app stores. According to data from app-tracking platforms such as Sensor Tower, Signal has been sitting at the top of the charts for many days, with a remarkable 958% increase in downloads since December.

This surge in popularity is not an isolated incident, as Signal has experienced similar growth spurts in the past, often in response to policy changes at rival messaging apps like WhatsApp or geopolitical events. However, what's notable this time around is the app's prominence in the Netherlands specifically. In an interview with Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, Signal president Meredith Whittaker attributed the growth to a combination of factors, including growing awareness of privacy, distrust of big tech, and the political reality in which people realize how vulnerable digital communication can be.

Data from app intelligence firm AppFigures charts Signal's rise in the Netherlands, showing that the app was the 365th ranked non-game iPhone app on January 1 and wasn't showing up at all in the top overall apps list. However, starting around January 5, it began to climb the charts, eventually hitting the top spot overall by February 2. While it has dipped in and out of the lead in the intervening weeks, Signal has spent around half of February at the summit, including each day since February 22.

The total number of downloads across Apple and Google's app stores in the Netherlands has seen a significant increase, from around 22,000 in December to 99,000 in January, and then 233,000 through February. This growth is not limited to the Netherlands, as other European countries such as Belgium, Sweden, and Denmark have also seen significant increases in Signal downloads. However, the Netherlands stands out as a market where Signal has experienced a "mass adoption moment," with downloads growing by a staggering 958% since December.

Experts point to a growing awareness of privacy and security concerns in the Netherlands, particularly in the wake of recent developments in the U.S. where big tech companies have fallen in line behind the new Trump regime. This has stoked significant public and media debate, with many Europeans becoming increasingly wary of relying on technology provided by dominant U.S. companies. As a result, Signal's promise to encrypt not only message content but also metadata has resonated with users seeking a more privacy-friendly alternative.

Rejo Zenger, senior policy advisor at Dutch digital rights foundation Bits of Freedom, noted that the public debate in the Netherlands has been particularly sharp, with many calling for a reduction in dependence on U.S. tech companies. Vincent Böhre, director at Dutch privacy organization Privacy First, attributed the growth to a media-driven increase in awareness and a broader shift in public opinion, with many Europeans becoming more interested in "privacy-friendly" alternatives like Signal.

Signal's commitment to user privacy has been reaffirmed by Whittaker, who stated that the app will not compromise on privacy, even in the face of government pressure. This stance has been reinforced by Whittaker's comments at RightsCon 25 in Taiwan, where she reiterated Signal's position on not walking back or adulterating its robust privacy and security guarantees. Separately, in an interview with Swedish public broadcaster SVT, Whittaker stated that Signal would not acquiesce to a proposed new Swedish law requiring messaging app-makers to store messages, citing that it would undermine the app's entire architecture.

The surge in popularity of Signal in the Netherlands serves as a bellwether for sentiment across Europe, where governments are seeking to bring down privacy barriers. As the debate around data protection and big tech dominance continues to grow, it will be interesting to see how Signal's popularity evolves in the coming months.