Musk Launches XChat to Rival WhatsApp With End-to-End Encryption

Elon Musk’s social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, has launched a sweeping upgrade to its messaging infrastructure with the introduction of XChat, a new feature designed to compete directly with WhatsApp and other leading messaging services.

The rollout marks a significant overhaul of X’s existing Direct Message (DM) system, replacing legacy messaging with a modern, encrypted communication platform. Musk confirmed the full deployment of the new “communications stack,” which integrates XChat directly into users’ DM inboxes.

XChat is positioned as a privacy-focused alternative to mainstream messaging apps, offering advanced security features and functionality while explicitly distancing itself from data tracking for targeted advertising.

Key Features of XChat

The newly launched service introduces a range of capabilities aimed at enhancing user privacy and communication:

• End-to-End Encryption (E2EE):
  All one-on-one messages, group chats, and file transfers are protected with end-to-end encryption. Musk has described the system as using a secure peer-to-peer architecture, calling it the “least insecure of any messaging system.”

• Audio and Video Calling:
  XChat enables high-quality voice and video calls directly within the platform. Calls can be made using an X profile, eliminating the need to share personal phone numbers.

• Message Control Tools:
  Users can edit or delete messages without leaving a visible “deleted” indicator. The service also includes disappearing messages, allowing chats to automatically vanish after a set period for added privacy.

• No Advertising Tracking:
  Musk has repeatedly criticized rival platforms for their handling of user data. XChat, he says, contains “no hooks for advertising,” appealing to users concerned about data collection and privacy.

Part of a Broader Vision for X

The launch of XChat represents a key milestone in Musk’s broader ambition to turn X into an “everything app,” similar to China’s WeChat, combining social media, communications, and financial services under one platform.

“We just rebuilt the entire messaging stack,” Musk said, highlighting the company’s goal of creating a fully integrated communications hub alongside X’s content ecosystem and upcoming X Money financial services.

Challenges Ahead

Despite its extensive feature set, XChat faces significant challenges in persuading users to move away from established platforms such as WhatsApp, which has more than two billion users worldwide.

Cybersecurity experts have also urged caution, noting that while end-to-end encryption is a major step forward, XChat’s privacy and security claims will need to be validated through independent third-party audits to match or exceed the standards set by competitors like Signal.

As XChat rolls out globally, its success will likely depend on user trust, verified security, and its ability to offer a compelling alternative in an already crowded messaging landscape.