X is blocking links to Signal, a secure messaging platform used by federal workers

[SheltieLover]

https://techcrunch.com/2025/02/17/x-is-blocking-links-to-signal-a-secure-messaging-platform-used-by-federal-workers/

Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter) is blocking links to Signal.me, a URL shortener used by the private messaging app Signal that allows users to send out a link that’s used to contact them directly through the service. The blocks, which impact direct messages, public posts, and profile pages, were first spotted by the blog Disruptionist.

The change comes as DOGE (the Department of Government Efficiency) takes aim at federal agencies, including NASA and the Department of Education, leaving workers turning to Signal’s encrypted messaging platform to securely share information and blow the whistle on potentially harmful activity.

Nearly 10,000 federal workers have been fired across the government as Musk’s DOGE works to slash federal spending and shut down entire agencies, like USAID.

TechCrunch has attempted to share a link via post and DM. When trying to share via a post, a message pops up that says: “Something went wrong, but don’t fret – let’s give it another shot.”

More at link.

[LizBeth]

1. Son set me up with Signal. Gonna try mine.

Edit to say... Mine went thru.

[SheltieLover]

4. Pls let us know?

[LizBeth]

6. I sent the link you provided with Musk name nad face but it did go thru.

[LizBeth]

7. But it says something about going thru X and I do not use that. I just simply sent link.

[SheltieLover]

10. Dunno. I've never had any sic media accts.

I refuse.

[SheltieLover]

8. Ok. Ty!

[malaise]

2. Effin madness

Rec

[SheltieLover]

5. Goddamned ruskie asset

[Initech]

3. We are way past treason. This is seditious conspiracy.

Elon Musk needs to answer for his crimes.

[malaise]

9. THiS

Rec

[dalton99a]

11. +1

[Deuxcents]

12. Musk has the ability to block just about everything. Reminds me of 1984 when only state approved information was availab

[SheltieLover]

13. Including to shut down cars connected to internet

Never been a fan of that idea.

[mahina]

14. Does that mean messages encrypted with Signal no longer work, or as poster below reports, goes through X and and hits

an obstacle?

I read the article at the link and the text in the op twice. I'm not the quickest with this stuff but just need to understand it's not saying that messages sent outside of twitter are impacted?

thanks

[AZJonnie]

15. What this actually means is that if you post a link to your Signal account on X

Like you make a post saying "Hey, everyone can chat with me at accountnumber.signal.com, hit me up!", either publicly, or via a Direct Message to another user (like our DU PM system), that message will not post or send.

This means absolutely nothing outside the context of X, at least for now. With Starlink also in his control, who knows, but I doubt he messes with it there.

[Hugin]

16. Dramatically different estimates of the firings...

10,000 in this article and 200,000 in others. I don’t believe that anyone has a clue. Anyone!

[Dynamic Unicorn]

17. Be careful using signal.

This was used by RW groups in the past and has been proven to not be secure. I am sure that Elon and his hackers would be able to see any messages they were interested in examining.

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/13/feds-say-they-used-encrypted-messages-to-charge-oath-keepers-leader.html

[usonian]

18. FOUND A FIX

I don't know if it works.

https://link-in-a-box.vercel.app/

I found it this morning before I found some home repairs to do and an all-day shopping trip. Making my way through 65 broader tabs

Hope it works. I don't use twitler.