Elon Musk’s X blocks Signal.me links, sparking free speech and privacy concerns

In a move that has left privacy advocates scratching their heads and free speech proponents raising alarms, Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter) has quietly begun blocking links to Signal.me, the direct contact URL used by the encrypted messaging app Signal. The discovery, first flagged by security researchers at Mysk, has ignited a firestorm of criticism, with many questioning whether X is prioritizing control over its once-celebrated commitment to open dialogue.

The disruption, as reported by the Disruptionist, began when users attempting to share Signal.me links — a handy way to connect directly with someone on Signal — were met with a barrage of error messages. Whether posting publicly, sending a direct message, or even updating their profile bio, X users were greeted with warnings like, “We can’t complete this request because this link has been identified by X or our partners as being potentially harmful.”

One particularly dramatic error message accused the link of being “considered malware,” while another suggested the request might be “automated” and therefore blocked to protect users from “spammy or unsafe” activity. For a platform that once championed free speech under Musk’s “digital town square” vision, the move feels like a stark contradiction — especially since Signal is widely regarded as one of the most secure and privacy-focused messaging apps available.

Even more puzzling? X isn’t just blocking new Signal.me links; it’s also preventing users from clicking on existing ones. Clicking a pre-ban Signal.me link now triggers a warning page that reads, “Warning: this link may be unsafe.” Thankfully, users can still bypass the warning and access the link, but the extra hoop-jumping feels like overkill for a service known for its commitment to privacy.

Signal has long been a favorite among journalists, activists, and anyone who values keeping their conversations private. Unlike many messaging apps, Signal stores nothing in the cloud, encrypts everything end-to-end, and keeps no logs of user activity. It’s the digital equivalent of a locked diary — except X seems to think it’s more like a suspicious package.

The timing of this block is particularly curious. Over the past few weeks, Signal has become a go-to tool for whistleblowers and federal employees looking to leak information about Elon Musk’s ventures, including his controversial dealings with government agencies. Coincidence? Maybe. Suspicious? Absolutely.

The move has sparked significant concerns about free speech on X, a platform that Musk once promised would be a bastion of open dialogue. Critics argue that blocking Signal.me links — while allowing links to other messaging services like Telegram — smacks of selective enforcement. If X is truly committed to free expression, why target a platform known for enabling secure, private communication?

This isn’t the first time X’s actions have raised eyebrows. Last year, the platform tested features that allow users to block links in replies, a move that drew criticism for potentially stifling conversation and limiting the sharing of external resources. This also comes on the heels of Reddit communities banning X links altogether, citing usability issues and ethical concerns over Musk’s leadership.

Meanwhile, platforms like Bluesky are capitalizing on X’s missteps. Bluesky’s Emily Liu has been actively courting disgruntled X users, even reaching out to Reddit moderators to woo them away from Musk’s chaotic empire. Bluesky’s strategy seems to be working, as more users flock to alternatives in search of a less restrictive social media experience.

For now, Signal users can still share their handles on X, allowing others to manually add them to the app. It’s a clunky workaround, but it works. Meanwhile, Signal.org links remain unaffected, suggesting that X’s beef is specifically with the direct contact feature offered by Signal.me.

As of now, neither X nor Signal has commented publicly on the block. But one thing’s clear: in the ongoing battle between privacy, free speech, and platform control, X seems to be picking a side — and it’s not the one users might have hoped for.