Downloads of the encrypted messaging app Signal have surged in Denmark in early 2026 amid renewed public concern about digital privacy and rising political tensions between Denmark and the United States. The app reached the top of Denmark’s Google Play Store communication category, up from ninth place a week earlier, as users seek tools perceived to offer stronger protection for private communications.
The increase in downloads occurs against the backdrop of debate within the European Union (EU) over proposals that would require scanning of private messages before encryption, a move critics say could weaken encrypted services and undermine user privacy. These discussions have amplified dissatisfaction among Danish internet users, driving interest in apps that do not scan encrypted content.
Political relations between Denmark and the United States have become strained in parallel. A renewed push by U.S. President Donald Trump to gain control of Greenland, a semiautonomous territory of Denmark, has prompted strong rebukes from the Danish government and its European allies. Trump has said the United States “needs Greenland for national security,” and discussions have included the possibility of using military force, language that has alarmed Copenhagen. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that a U.S. attempt to seize Greenland could effectively end the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) alliance.
Denmark and Greenland have sought talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to address the situation, following statements from the White House that military options remain on the table. The diplomatic engagement is intended to clarify intentions and reduce the risk of a confrontation over Greenland’s future, which many in Denmark view as a core element of national sovereignty.
European institutions have expressed solidarity with Denmark, reaffirming that decisions about Greenland must involve both the territory and the Danish government. A joint statement by several EU member states said Greenland “belongs to its people” and that its fate should not be decided by external powers. The EU position reflects broader concern among European capitals about the diplomatic strain with the United States and the implications for transatlantic cooperation on security issues.
Signal’s rising downloads in Denmark may be influenced by this broader political context, where public anxiety about digital surveillance and geopolitical tensions intersect. Users appear to be responding to perceived threats to privacy and national sovereignty by adopting communication tools that prioritise encrypted messaging, even as international negotiations and debates over surveillance policy continue within the EU and between national governments. The extent to which these factors will shape long-term messaging app preferences in Denmark remains to be seen.