The co-founder and chief executive of encrypted-messaging app, Signal, Moxie Marlinspike has resigned.
Marlinspike whose real name is Matthew Rosenfeld in a blogpost said, “I have now been working on Signal for almost a decade. It has always been my goal for Signal to grow and sustain beyond my involvement, but four years ago that would still not have been possible. I was writing all the Android code, was writing all of the server code, was the only person on call for the service, was facilitating all product development, and was managing everyone. I couldn’t ever leave cell service, had to take my laptop with me everywhere in case of emergencies, and occasionally found myself sitting alone on the sidewalk in the rain late at night trying to diagnose a service degradation.
“I’ve spent the past four years endeavoring to change that, and today the picture is radically different.”
Signal now has a team of 30 people consisting of engineers, talented designers, a good support staff, and a committed leadership team. The app is also used by more than 40 million people. The number of users surged when WhatsApp was engulfed in a crisis relating to its privacy policy. Many switched from WhatsApp to Signal.
Marlinspike acknowledged that it was a good time for him to replace himself as CEO.
However, he will continue to remain on the Signal board, committed to helping manifest Signal’s mission from that role, and will also be transitioning out as CEO over the next month to focus on the candidate search.
Brian Acton, who is also on the Signal Foundation board, has volunteered to serve as interim CEO during the search period. Acton is a veteran of the secure-messaging sector. He left WhatsApp, which he co-founded, in 2017 – the messaging app had been sold to Facebook, in 2014, in a deal worth $19bn (£11.4bn) in cash and shares.
“I have every confidence in his commitment to the mission and ability to facilitate the team for this time,” Marlinspike added.
