Are Signal calls fully private?

Signal provides end to end encryption for calls between Signal clients. That keeps media keys with endpoints and reduces provider access to content. Metadata is minimized by design.

Can browser calls be end to end encrypted?

WebRTC encrypts media in transit, but bridging to PSTN or cloud processing generally terminates that encryption at the gateway. Special E2EE implementations exist but are not common for PSTN calls.

Does StartACall process audio with AI?

AI features like transcription and AI agents are opt in. When you enable them audio may be sent to third party services. You can disable these features and control retention and access settings.

Are Signal voice calls more private than browser based calls?

Signal provides end to end encryption for voice and video between Signal clients, including protections for media and metadata minimization. Browser based calls use WebRTC which encrypts media in transit, but when a browser call is bridged to the public phone network by a gateway, true end to end encryption to the telephone endpoint is not possible. For the highest privacy for peer to peer voice, Signal is generally stronger.

Can a browser call be end to end encrypted?

WebRTC encrypts audio and video using DTLS SRTP. That provides encryption in transit between endpoints. However full end to end encryption that keeps keys out of intermediate services is not available by default when calls pass through gateways or CPaaS providers. Special browser based E2EE approaches exist but are not widely adopted for PSTN bridging.

How does StartACall handle privacy for browser calls?

StartACall uses secure WebRTC transport, TLS signaling, SRTP for media, and best practices for key management. When calls are bridged to the PSTN via providers like Twilio, media terminates at the gateway and that creates different privacy properties than native Signal calls. StartACall provides controls to disable recordings, limit AI processing, and configure retention and access controls to improve privacy.

Will my audio be processed by AI when I use StartACall?

AI features such as transcription or AI agents are opt in. If enabled, audio may be sent to third party services for speech to text or model processing. You can disable AI features or configure them to anonymize or retain data for a limited period.

Privacy guide

Signal versus Browser Calls privacy

Making voice calls from your browser is convenient and powerful. If privacy is a top priority you need to understand what changes when calls move off app to the public phone network or to cloud platforms. This page explains the differences, what StartACall does to protect you, and how to reduce privacy risk.

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Signal versus Browser Calls: What changes for privacy

This comparison helps you choose the right tool for different privacy needs. We cover encryption, metadata, PSTN bridging, and third party processing.

Encryption model

Signal: True end to end encryption for calls between Signal clients. Keys are held only by endpoints. Browser calls: WebRTC encrypts media in transit with DTLS SRTP. When a cloud gateway or PSTN bridge is involved, media is decrypted at that gateway.

Recommendation: Use Signal for the highest confidentiality between two app users.

Metadata and routing

Signal minimizes metadata and avoids long term storage. Browser based VoIP relies on cloud signalling and PSTN providers. That can create richer logs about call parties, routing, duration, and IP addresses.

Recommendation: If metadata minimization is essential, prefer E2EE app calls and audit provider logging policies.

PSTN bridging and compliance

No technology can deliver end to end encryption to a standard PSTN handset. When calls bridge to the public phone network, gateways handle media and signaling. Businesses that need compliance can configure retention, access controls, and choose vendors with BAAs and regional data controls.

Recommendation: For calls that must reach landlines, treat the PSTN segment as lower privacy and use masking or limited sharing for sensitive data.

Privacy best practices for browser based calling

Follow these practical steps to reduce risk when you use browser calls or cloud telephony.

Use E2EE apps for sensitive calls

For the most sensitive conversations use Signal or similar end to end encrypted apps between consenting endpoints.

Prefer app based E2EE when possible

Limit third party processing

Only enable AI transcription or analysis when necessary. Review vendor contracts and data retention settings for AI providers and speech to text services.

Disable automated transcription if not required

Control recordings and retention

Turn off recordings by default. If recordings are needed, restrict access and set short retention windows. Use strong authentication and logging for access to stored audio.

Apply least privilege to recordings

Use virtual numbers and masking

Virtual numbers help protect personal numbers and reduce exposed identity in calls. Use number management to rotate or retire numbers when needed.

Use virtual numbers for public facing lines

Encrypt at rest and secure keys

Protect recorded files, transcripts, and logs with encryption at rest. Rotate keys and manage them with dedicated key management solutions when available.

Use strong key management

Audit and compliance

Review data processing agreements with providers. For regulated data consider vendors that offer BAAs and localized data handling options.

Check regional compliance options

Frequently asked questions

Is a browser call as private as a Signal call?

Not always. Browser calls encrypt media in transit, but when a provider bridges to the PSTN or records media for processing, the call is no longer end to end encrypted between endpoints. Signal offers stronger E2EE for app to app calls.

Can StartACall make completely private PSTN calls?

No platform can create true end to end encryption that includes the PSTN handset. StartACall secures the browser to cloud segment and offers controls to limit recording and processing but the PSTN portion remains outside end to end encryption.

Will my calls be sent to AI services for transcription?

AI and transcription features are opt in. Enabling them will route audio to speech to text or model providers. You can disable these features or configure data retention and anonymization settings.

How can I reduce metadata exposure?

Use temporary virtual numbers for public interactions, minimize logging, limit webhook payloads that include caller information, and choose providers with strict data policies and regional options.

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