Users on X are currently unable to share links to Signal.me, a service used for secure and private messaging through the Signal app.
Attempts to post these links trigger various failure messages, with some users receiving notifications that their post contains spam, harmful content, or malicious activity.
Journalist Matt Binder first reported the issue, noting that only Signal.me links are affected—Signal.org links and other messaging services like Telegram remain accessible. In some cases, users attempting to post Signal.me links encounter a generic error message stating, “Something went wrong, but don’t fret — let’s give it another shot.”
Signal is widely used by journalists and whistleblowers due to its end-to-end encryption, making it a key tool for securely sharing sensitive information. Recently, it has played a crucial role in federal whistleblowers reporting activities within the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to the press.
Beyond blocking public posts and direct messages, X is also preventing users from adding Signal.me links to their bios. Any attempt to do so results in an error message labeling the link as “malware.” Previously published Signal.me links are now flagged with warnings, discouraging users from clicking them.
This isn’t the first time X has restricted third-party links. In 2022, the platform temporarily blocked links to Facebook, Instagram, and Mastodon after Elon Musk accused competitors of exploiting X for free promotion. In 2023, Substack links were throttled after the platform launched its Twitter-like “Notes” feature.
However, Signal is not a direct competitor to X, making this situation different. It remains unclear whether the block is intentional or a mistake. X has not yet responded to requests for comment, and at the time of writing, users can still share Signal usernames as a workaround.
