[TheSageMage]

How does the use of this technology fit in with the FOIA, etc?

[tony101]

Signal has a built in 'export' function that produces a plaintext file with chat logs. However that might defeat the point of end-to-end encrypted messages.

[amboar]

Another approach is to use Signal's "Linked Devices" capability. Designate a central "device" (server) for FOIA purposes, and mandate all relevant public servants/elected officials using Signal add that as a linked device.

Then there's no need to retrieve a device and dump its message store, which obviously depends on the device being in a functional state. Instead there's a one-time setup when Signal is first installed.

[subliminalpanda]

Useful if you want to preserve your chats and move to a new device however.

[xenotb]

It protects the message in transport, its metadata, as well as offer some endpoint security.

That doesn't mean the user can't export the messages himself.