Signal Protocol

The Signal Protocol (formerly known as the TextSecure Protocol) is a non-federated cryptographic protocol that provides end-to-end encryption for voice and instant messaging conversations. The protocol was developed by Open Whisper Systems in 2013 and was first introduced in the open-source TextSecure app, which later became Signal. Several closed-source applications have implemented the protocol, such as WhatsApp, which is said to encrypt the conversations of "more than a billion people worldwide" or Google who provides end-to-end encryption by default to all RCS-based conversations between users of their Google Messages app for one-to-one conversations. Facebook Messenger also say they offer the protocol for optional Secret Conversations, as does Skype for its Private Conversations.

This article is about encryption protocol. For messenger implementing this protocol, see Signal (software). For the charitable foundation, see Signal Foundation.

Signal Protocol
Communication protocol
PurposeEnd-to-end encrypted communications
Developer(s)Signal Foundation
Based onOTR, SCIMP
InfluencedOMEMO, Matrix
OSI layerApplication layer
Websitesignal.org/docs

The protocol combines the Double Ratchet Algorithm, prekeys, and a triple Elliptic-curve Diffie–Hellman (3-DH) handshake, and uses Curve25519, AES-256, and HMAC-SHA256 as primitives.

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