Signal CEO, Moxie Marlinspike, announced on Monday he has stepped down as the leader of the encrypted social networking platform:
It’s a new year, and I’ve decided it’s a good time to replace myself as the CEO of Signal.
I have now been working on Signal for almost a decade. It has always been my goal for Signal to grow and sustain beyond my involvement, but four years ago that would still not have been possible. I was writing all the Android code, was writing all of the server code, was the only person on call for the service, was facilitating all product development, and was managing everyone. I couldn’t ever leave cell service, had to take my laptop with me everywhere in case of emergencies, and occasionally found myself sitting alone on the sidewalk in the rain late at night trying to diagnose a service degradation.
Marlinspike says he now feels comfortable replacing his role as CEO, “based on the team we have.” The company has been in discussions with possible replacements “over the last few months.”
In the meantime, he will remain on the board of Signal, as he transitions out of the CEO role. In the interim, WhatsApp co-founder Brian Acton, “has volunteered to serve as interim CEO during the search period.” Acton is on the Signal Foundation board.
“Finally, thank you to everyone who has helped make Signal what it is, has been supportive of what we’re building, and has been there along the way. We already have so much exciting work that’s coming soon in the pipeline right now, and I’m optimistic about all the potential for Signal over the next decade,” concluded Marlinspike.
