Only after a few weeks into testing, the famous messaging platform Signal is now rolling out the “Stories” feature to all its users on Android and iOS. In an official announcement, Signal also said it plans to release the Stories feature to its desktop platform soon. The feature is similar to what you might have seen on other platforms, such as Instagram, in the Stories feature.
Signal Stories allows users to create and share images, videos, or even texts on their profile, which will disappear after 24 hours. Signal notes that the Stories feature, just like every other feature in the app, is end-to-end encrypted. Also, Signal users can decide who can view their Stories and who cannot.
This can be done by navigating to the app’s Settings menu. You will have three options: everyone, anyone you have had one-to-one conversations with, and anyone whose message request you have accepted. Signal will also provide a setting that will let you manually hide your Story from specific people.
Signal Stories are end-to-end encrypted
If you have a group and want to announce something related to that specific group, you can also create a custom Story. You can also share your Stories in existing group chats.
You can also decide if you want to see view receipts for Stories you look at or whether you see when you want to see them when you see someone else’s Stories. You can toggle on or off view receipts in the Settings menu.
Signal said that the main reason for the inclusion of the Stories feature within the app is because it “happens to be one of the most common feature requests” from the users. Signal also said that not everyone would see Stories as a welcome addition and will provide an option for those who don’t like it to opt out of the feature by selecting the ‘Turn Off Stories’ option from the Settings menu.