Incredibly well implemented encryption

This is a game changer. It is incredibly well implemented end-to-end encryption in an open source platform! Signal is the same protocol that WhatsApp now uses, except this platform is completely open source, unlike WhatsApp. Security experts around the globe highly recommend this protocol for good reason. Its easy to use, trivial to setup, and secure- more secure than iMessage (which suffers from weak keys and copies in the cloud).

This is so simple to setup and use, its a no-brainer!

EDIT: for those asking about why it requires access to your contacts, its the way the app handles the initial key exchange securely. It generates hundreds of keys so you can have your initial contact and exchange of keys done securely from the very first message exchange. Read up on the protocol. Its really quite impressive how its done! Its all open source, so take a look! Its nothing to worry about - it should make you feel even better about the security.

Stephensm about Signal - Private Messenger, v2.2