At least on Android, there is a local backup option although you need to manually pull it off the device. I get what you're saying about chat/moderation tools.

At least on Android, there is a local backup option although you need to manually pull it off the device. I get what you're saying about chat/moderation tools. For some reason I limit my view of Signal to groups of people I actually know. I would personally never use it instead of something like Gitter or community-based chats. I fully agree various chat programs (mostly) each have their own niche.