Signal launches first paid feature — end-to-end encrypted backup

Signal messenger has added its first paid feature — the ability to create secure backups of media and text messages. For $1.99 per month, users get access to media archiving and unlimited text backup.

All data is end-to-end encrypted and can only be accessed with a unique recovery key. If you lose it, the company will not be able to help with recovery.

Signal explains the introduction of a paid option as a need to cover the costs of storing large amounts of data. As a non-profit organization that does not monetize user data or display advertising, the service is looking for alternative ways to finance itself.

For non-subscribers, media is only stored for the last 45 days, and text messages are unlimited in time, but with a 100MB limit. According to VP of Engineering Jim O'Leary, this should be enough for even active users.

Backups are created daily, without being tied to an account or payment. In the future, Signal plans to allow archives to be saved to a location of the user's choosing.

The new feature is already available in the beta version of Signal for Android, with a public release, as well as support for iOS and desktop platforms, expected soon.