Cursor vs Signal
Based on our analysis, Signal is the more privacy-respecting choice overall.
BACK →| Category | Cursor | Signal |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | C+ · 58/100 | A · 87/100 |
| What they collect | Concern (45) | Positive (88) |
| Who they share it with | Mixed (52) | Positive (88) |
| What you can do | Mixed (62) | Mixed (78) |
| What they promise | Positive (72) | Positive (86) |
Cursor collects account data (name, email, payment), device and usage data, and — critically — "Inputs" (code snippets, prompts) and "Suggestions" (AI responses). In Privacy Mode ON, code and prompts are processed in memory only and never persisted; they have zero data retention agreements with OpenAI and Anthropic. In Privacy Mode OFF (default on Free/Pro), this data is stored and may be used to evaluate and improve AI. Cursor does not sell your data or use it for targeted advertising. Business plans default to Privacy Mode on.
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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