Open Whisper Systems

Not to be confused with Whisper Systems, a company that was acquired by Twitter, or Whisper, a product of WhisperText LLC.

Open Whisper Systems
AbbreviationOWS
SuccessorSignal Technology Foundation
FormationJanuary 21, 2013; 11 years ago (2013-01-21)[1]
FounderMoxie Marlinspike[2]
DissolvedJanuary 10, 2018; 6 years ago (2018-01-10)[3]
PurposeSoftware development[2]
Location
ProductsSignal, Signal Protocol
FieldsFree and open-source software, Cryptography, Mobile software
Staff
2–6[5][6]
Websitewhispersystems.org

Open Whisper Systems (abbreviated OWS[7]) was a software development group[8] that was founded by Moxie Marlinspike in 2013. The group picked up the open source development of TextSecure and RedPhone, and was later responsible for starting the development of the Signal Protocol[9] and the Signal messaging app. In 2018, Signal Messenger was incorporated as an LLC by Moxie Marlinspike and Brian Acton and then rolled under the independent 501c3 non-profit Signal Technology Foundation. Today, the Signal app is developed by Signal Messenger LLC, which is funded by the Signal Technology Foundation.[5][10]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference welcome was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference mashable1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "Signal Technology Foundation". OpenCorporates. Delaware Department of State: Division of Corporations. 15 July 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
  4. ^ Lee, Micah (22 June 2016). "Battle of the Secure Messaging Apps: How Signal Beats WhatsApp". The Intercept. First Look Media. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  5. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference signal-foundation was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Marlinspike, Moxie (18 September 2017). "Moxie Marlinspike: Trust No One". TechCrunch Disrupt SF 2017 (Interview). Interviewed by Devin Coldewey. San Francisco, CA: Oath Inc. 3:50. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
  7. ^ "Signal Privacy Policy". Open Whisper Systems. Archived from the original on 31 January 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference ONeill-2017-01-03 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Perrin, Trevor (9 June 2015). TextSecure Protocol: Present and Future (Video). NorthSec. Event occurs at 0:21. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference propublica was invoked but never defined (see the help page).