When Dutch users opened their app stores this week, an unexpected name claimed the top spot—privacy-first messaging app Signal. The platform, marked by its iconic green chat bubble, has broken through WhatsApp’s long-standing monopoly in Europe. Tech analysts report Signal’s daily downloads surged by 380% compared to last week, causing temporary server outages due to overwhelming traffic.
In an interview with Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf last week, Signal President Meredith Whittaker noted that the number of “new registrations” in the Netherlands was higher this year by a factor of 25, though it’s not clear what the exact comparative period of time is for this data.
When asked why the Netherlands has seen such growth, Whittaker pointed to a combination of factors: “Growing awareness of privacy, distrust of big tech, and the political reality in which people realize how vulnerable digital communication can be,” Whittaker said.This explosive growth coincides with the Dutch Data Protection Authority’s annual privacy report, revealing that 83% of Dutch citizens fear their messaging data is being exploited by third parties. Privacy expert Martijn van de Kamp explains: “When news broke about Telegram adjusting its privacy terms and WhatsApp forcing Facebook data synchronization, users flocked like migrating birds to safer platforms.”
Researchers at the University of Amsterdam discovered searches for technical terms like “end-to-end encryption” skyrocketed 17x within 48 hours. Signal’s unique “sealed sender” feature unexpectedly became a viral talking point—this technology hides sender metadata, making even the platform itself unable to trace conversation trails.
Notably, the Dutch Parliament’s recent “wiretapping scandal” added fuel to the privacy revolution. After three lawmakers were exposed discussing sensitive policies via unencrypted channels, Signal suddenly appeared on politicians’ recommended apps list. The Hague Municipal Government further announced plans to phase out traditional SMS systems amid the Signal download frenzy.
Signal founder Moxie Marlinspike responded on a tech forum: “We’ve never paid for promotions. Dutch users’ enthusiasm is entirely organic. This proves when people truly understand privacy’s value, they vote with their feet.” With the EU’s Digital Services Act compliance deadline approaching, the Netherlands’ privacy awakening might foreshadow a broader European transformation.
