Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter) has started blocking links to Signal.me, a popular URL shortener used by the private messaging app Signal. The move affects direct messages, public posts, and profile pages.
The blockage comes as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Musk, aims to slash federal spending and shut down entire agencies. This has prompted many federal workers to turn to Signal’s encrypted messaging platform to securely share information and expose potentially harmful activity.
Signal.me is used to send direct links to contact information, which can be a lifeline for users who want to protect their anonymity. However, X’s blockage means that sharing such links is now impossible.
TechCrunch attempted to share a link via post and DM but encountered errors, with some messages popping up saying “something went wrong” or that the request looks automated. Signal.me links are also blocked on profile pages, leaving users unable to contact each other directly.
Musk, who claims to be a free-speech advocate, has a history of blocking accounts and publications that disagree with him. The move raises questions about his commitment to free speech and whether it’s being used as a tool for censorship.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2025/02/17/x-is-blocking-links-to-signal-a-secure-messaging-platform-used-by-federal-workers