Encrypted messaging app Signal hit by brief outage

Encrypted instant messaging app Signal was hit by a brief outage late Sunday that interrupted services on the platform at the same time as localised interruptions on other social media services.

Signal blamed hosting issues for the disruption, which internet outage monitor DownDetector said began at 11:05 pm Eastern Standard Time (0305 GMT), citing user reports.

The site logged reports of interrupted service in the United States, Europe, Hong Kong and other parts of the world.

Service had largely returned to normal by 3:00 am (0700 GMT), according to Signal’s developers.

“Messaging has recovered for 99% of users, but we’re still working on the remaining 1%,” the company said on Twitter.