XChat Now Available to All Users: Security Concerns Remain

XChat: New Direct Messaging Features Roll Out

Elon Musk announced on Sunday the deployment of a new iteration of X’s direct messaging functionality, known as XChat. This update introduces support for features such as disappearing messages, encryption capabilities, and file sharing.

Beta Testing and Wider Release

Currently, these new features are not universally accessible. XChat is presently undergoing beta testing with a limited number of users. However, the X team anticipates making XChat available to all users this week, contingent upon the absence of any scalability challenges during the rollout process.

Underlying Technology and Security Concerns

Musk detailed in a series of posts on X that the revamped XChat has been constructed using Rust, incorporating “Bitcoin-style” encryption and a completely redesigned architecture. The precise meaning of “Bitcoin-style” encryption remains unclear, as Bitcoin’s security relies on public key cryptography and digital signatures rather than traditional encryption.

This ambiguity has sparked debate. Some suggest Musk is employing the term as a marketing tactic, while others speculate he may have a misunderstanding of encryption principles. It’s also possible a different term, such as “cryptography,” was intended.

Competition with Encrypted Messaging Apps

The owner of X has frequently expressed a desire to position X’s DMs as a viable alternative to secure messaging platforms like Signal and iMessage. However, characterizing XChat as utilizing only “Bitcoin-style encryption” raises questions about its potential to genuinely compete in the encrypted messaging space.

New Audio and Video Calling Features

Furthermore, Musk revealed that XChat users can now engage in audio and video calls without requiring a phone number, and this functionality extends across all platforms.

Previous Development and Recent Outages

Prior to this launch, X announced a temporary suspension of development on encrypted DMs, presumably in anticipation of XChat’s eventual replacement of the older system.

Unfortunately, X users have experienced significant service instability recently. Multiple outages have disrupted access to timelines and other features, including XChat.

These disruptions may impact the smooth rollout of the new features.