OpenAI (ChatGPT) vs Signal
Based on our analysis, Signal is the more privacy-respecting choice overall.
BACK →| Category | OpenAI (ChatGPT) | Signal |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | D · 42/100 | A · 87/100 |
| What they collect | Concern (38) | Positive (88) |
| Who they share it with | Mixed (48) | Positive (88) |
| What you can do | Concern (42) | Mixed (78) |
| What they promise | Mixed (52) | Positive (86) |
OpenAI collects account data, all prompts and responses, file uploads, voice inputs, and a separate Memory that persists even when you delete chats. Training on your conversations is on by default; you must opt out. A federal court order (May 2025) requires OpenAI to preserve and segregate ChatGPT conversation data — including deleted conversations. API and Enterprise: training is off; your data is never used for training. OpenAI states they don't sell personal data or use it for targeted advertising.
View full analysis →Signal is a nonprofit that genuinely cannot read your messages or listen to your calls — the encryption is architectural, not a promise — but it requires a real phone number to register, is subject to US law, and its privacy policy is conspicuously sparse: it hasn't been substantively updated since 2018 and lacks the specific retention periods, GDPR rights, or DPO contact that more thorough policies provide.
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