Tech magnate Elon Musk has introduced XChat, a new encrypted messaging and calling service embedded within the X platform (formerly Twitter), in line with his broader goal of turning X into an all-inclusive digital hub.
Announced via a post on X, Musk emphasized XChat’s strong focus on privacy, highlighting features such as end-to-end encryption, disappearing messages, and audio/video calls — all accessible without the need for a phone number. The platform is currently in beta testing, available to a limited number of premium users.
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Musk said XChat runs on an entirely new system architecture and draws from Bitcoin-style cryptography for its encryption, although technical details are yet to be disclosed. He positioned XChat as a direct competitor to WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal, all known for encrypted communication.
The launch reflects a growing shift toward privacy-first communication amid increasing concerns about data security. With new additions like vanishing mode and enhanced group messaging, X has been steadily evolving its chat functionality, with XChat serving as the culmination of these changes.
Initial testers have noted that XChat uses a 4-digit passcode system to further secure conversations, appealing to users who prioritize anonymity.
By entering the encrypted messaging space, X is challenging major players, but with a twist — removing the phone number requirement, setting it apart as a more private communication tool. Experts suggest this integration within a wider social media platform could offer an edge, particularly if linked with other features like payments, as Musk has hinted.
XChat is also part of Musk’s larger vision of building an “everything app,” similar to China’s WeChat, that combines messaging, social networking, finance, transport, and even dating into one platform.
Since acquiring Twitter in 2022, Musk has rebranded it to X and launched features like AI tools, premium subscriptions, and monetization options. Whether XChat can rival the dominance of existing messaging giants remains to be seen, but it marks another bold push by Musk to redefine how people communicate online.
