Signal Gains Ground As Dutch Users Seek Privacy
Netherlands, Tuesday, 25 March 2025.
Signal’s user base in the Netherlands has surged, placing it in the top five globally amid privacy concerns that challenge WhatsApp’s dominance.
Unprecedented Growth in Dutch Market
The Netherlands has emerged as a key market for Signal, now ranking among the top five countries globally for active Signal users, alongside much larger nations including the United States, Germany, India, and Ukraine [1]. While exact user numbers remain undisclosed, Signal’s spokesperson has indicated that the previous estimate of 900,000 Dutch users has been ‘substantially surpassed’ [1]. This growth trajectory has caught the attention of competing platforms, with WhatsApp launching an unprecedented media outreach campaign in the Netherlands as of March 19, 2025 [3].
Educational Sector Leads Adoption
The surge in Signal’s popularity has been particularly notable in the Dutch higher education sector. Utrecht University of Applied Sciences has formally advised its employees to transition to Signal, while Avans University of Applied Sciences is actively considering a similar move [7]. This institutional shift comes in the wake of growing privacy concerns, particularly following Meta’s policy changes in early 2025 [7].
Security Features and User Experience
Signal’s appeal extends beyond basic messaging capabilities. The platform has garnered praise for its versatile features, including secure note-taking and media sharing capabilities [2]. In terms of network performance, the platform benefits from robust mobile infrastructure in the Netherlands, with current network experience scores reaching 75.1 for major carriers [4]. Jun Harada, Signal’s Head of Growth and Partnerships, attributes the app’s success in the Netherlands partially to its comprehensive Dutch language localization [1].
Privacy Concerns Drive Adoption
As of March 22, 2025, Signal has achieved remarkable growth, securing the 11th position among communication apps in the Netherlands [5]. This surge comes amid intensifying debates about digital privacy, with the National Student Union actively discussing the transition to open-source communication platforms [7]. WhatsApp’s recent defensive stance, including direct engagement with Dutch media through director Will Cathcart, underscores the significant impact of Signal’s growing market presence [3].