Elon Musk recently announced that X, the everything app, will soon allow you to chat securely with friends, family, and even collaborators in a more private manner. You might be wondering, “Didn’t Twitter already have direct messaging?” That’s true, but brace yourself for XChat, Musk’s anticipated “secure” messaging service—though there are lingering concerns about its actual security.
According to Musk, XChat will succeed the existing Messages feature and will come with “encryption, vanishing messages, and the ability to send any kind of file,” including video and audio calls. Initially, it will be available to a limited user base, but Musk claims it will be rolled out to everyone “this week,” assuming there are no scaling issues on the horizon.
Encryption has long been a crucial request from Twitter users, especially journalists wanting to safely communicate with sources. Given growing concerns over privacy and government surveillance, many have been eager for a more secure messaging option.
Previously, Musk introduced encrypted messaging in X direct messages as an opt-in feature, not end-to-end encrypted, and accessible only to those paying $8 a month for the blue checkmark. Now, he assures us that XChat will be a game-changer. “This is built on Rust with (Bitcoin style) encryption, whole new architecture,” he elaborated.
However, the term “Bitcoin-style” encryption remains nebulous. While Bitcoin utilizes cryptography for transaction signatures, it doesn’t inherently offer encryption; transactions are publicly broadcast for transparency, which isn’t ideal for a private messaging service. The promotional page for XChat asserts it will feature “end-to-end encryption” and “state-of-the-art privacy,” so let’s give Musk the benefit of the doubt and assume that’s what he means by “Bitcoin-style” security.
Musk has consistently hinted at the need for a messaging system that could rival platforms like Signal. XChat is his latest attempt, but it isn’t off to a great start, especially given the lack of clarity regarding its security features. For now, it seems unlikely to match Signal’s robustness but may offer similar security as TeleMessage, the modified version of Signal that was used by Trump administration officials until it faced hacking issues earlier this year.
Musk’s track record of compromising user security hasn’t helped his case. He removed two-factor authentication for all users without a subscription to X Premium, and has limited message capabilities for non-paying users, justifying it as “spam prevention.” He has also complied with numerous government requests, further raising eyebrows about privacy under his leadership. Last week, the company halted the ability to send new encrypted messages via its old DM service, likely steering users toward XChat while cutting off a secure communication method in the process.
As users gear up for XChat, one question looms large: Is it truly secure? Privacy-conscious individuals may need to proceed with caution until more transparent security measures are clarified.
Can XChat really compete with established secure messaging apps? While it has the potential, its current launch raises some significant questions about the actual level of security it can provide. However, it must clarify its encryption protocols before it can genuinely rival apps like Signal.
What features will XChat offer that were missing from previous messaging services? Users can expect encryption, disappearing messages, and file sharing capabilities, all aimed at enhancing privacy.
Will existing users of direct messages have to transition to XChat? Yes, the current DM feature will be phased out, with XChat being the new standard in communications on the platform.
Is Elon Musk the right person to lead such a privacy-focused initiative? Many users may have reservations, considering his previous decisions surrounding user security.
For now, all eyes are on XChat as it unfolds. If you want to dive deeper into privacy and security in digital communications, explore more at Moyens I/O.
