The encrypted messaging app Signal is experiencing a significant surge in downloads following a messaging scandal involving high-ranking officials in the Trump administration. The incident, which saw The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg accidentally added to a group chat discussing an attack on Houthi rebels in Yemen, has led to increased press coverage and a subsequent doubling of Signal’s downloads.

According to Appfigures, a provider of app intelligence, Signal’s downloads rose by 26% on the day the news broke. The following day, downloads jumped to 193,000, and by Wednesday, they reached an all-time high of 195,000. This represents a substantial increase from the app’s average daily downloads of 95,000.

For comparison, Signal’s typical daily download average is 95,000. The recent surge in downloads suggests that users are taking notice of the app’s secure messaging features and are interested in learning more about the platform.

Appfigures has been monitoring the impact of the scandal on Signal’s app since the news broke. Initially, the firm found that Signal’s downloads had increased by 28% on the Monday when the story first emerged, with U.S. downloads rising by 45% and Yemen downloads increasing by 42%.

The Trump administration has downplayed the significance of the incident, in which The Atlantic journalist was accidentally added to a group chat between officials. However, the leak has raised concerns about the handling of sensitive information and the use of secure messaging platforms.

Secretary of Defense Peter Hegseth, who was part of the chat along with VP J.D. Vance and others, denied that “war plans” were shared through the encrypted chat app. Nevertheless, The Atlantic later published the full message threads, revealing that officials had discussed the time, location, and weapons to be used in the attack. Trump has since criticized the media for its ongoing coverage of the incident.

It is essential to note that Signal’s app itself was not compromised, and the leak occurred due to the accidental addition of the journalist to the group chat. National Security Adviser Michael Waltz has accepted responsibility for creating the group chat but has deflected blame for the mistake.

Appfigures attributes the surge in downloads to the increased visibility of Signal’s app, which has likely introduced the platform to thousands of new users. The old adage “all press is good press” appears to be applicable in this case, as the scandal has driven interest in Signal’s secure messaging features and resulted in a doubling of downloads.