Elon Musk Announces ‘Bitcoin-Style’ Encryption for XChat

Elon Musk has launched XChat, the new messaging feature on X (previously Twitter), aimed at improving user functionality and privacy. XChat is developed using the Rust programming language and includes end-to-end encryption, self-destructing messages, and audio and video calls without a phone number.

Users can share different kinds of files between platforms. Musk characterized XChat’s security as “Bitcoin-style encryption,” though details were not provided.

The description has caused unease among experts since Bitcoin employs cryptographic signatures and not encryption in the majority of its transactions.

Now, XChat is being rolled out to paid subscribers, with a roll-out to all in the near future.

The release is part of Musk’s plan to turn X into an all-purpose “everything app” that encompasses several services beyond the standard social media functions.

With XChat increasingly in use, users and professionals will keenly observe how well it works and how secure it is.

Pioneers are already experimenting with its end-to-end encryption, disappearing messages, and cross-platform audio/video calls without having to enter a phone number.

These are aspects that exist to provide the user with increased privacy and functionality.

A few security experts, however, condemned Musk for using the term “Bitcoin-style encryption” knowing Bitcoin relies mainly on cryptographic signatures instead of encryption to secure its transactions.

The technical specification of the encryption in XChat is not yet available, contributing to the criticism.

As the roll-out proceeds, the efficacy and strength of XChat’s security will be tested. Individuals will try out if XChat is everything it says it is when it comes to privacy and safety.