Elon Musk suggests using XChat for your next Signalgate

: Elon Musk has announced the introduction of XChat, a new messaging feature on the X app, promoting it as a secure communication platform with features such as encryption, vanishing messages, and support for multimedia and call functionality. This development, set to initially roll out to a limited number of users with plans for wider access, raises questions about its security claims due to unclear cryptographic descriptions. Musk references "Bitcoin-style" encryption, a term criticized for its inaccuracy, as Bitcoin transactions are not encrypted. Nevertheless, XChat is positioned to compete with established encrypted services like Signal, albeit facing criticism for Musk's previous security measures, such as restricting two-factor authentication to paying users.

Elon Musk has launched XChat, a new encrypted messaging system built into the X platform (formerly Twitter), positioning it as a direct competitor to secure apps like Signal. The feature supports end-to-end encryption, self-destructing messages, and voice/video calling, and doesn’t require a phone number. It is built using the Rust programming language, which is known for safety and performance in secure applications.

Musk has described XChat as using “Bitcoin-style encryption,” though this term has sparked debate among cryptographers. Critics point out that Bitcoin transactions are not encrypted in the traditional messaging sense, and the comparison may be more about ethos than actual technical implementation. Still, Musk is promoting XChat as a privacy-first alternative for whistleblowers and activists who typically rely on tools like Signal.

The timing of Musk’s announcement led to a flurry of online commentary, with some users dubbing the move “Signalgate,” referencing both the controversy and Signal’s reputation as the gold standard for encrypted communications. Musk has previously clashed with Signal over moderation and decentralization, and XChat appears to be his answer to the demand for secure messaging within a centralized platform.

Currently, XChat is only available to X Premium subscribers, though Musk has hinted that it will roll out more broadly in the coming months. The feature adds another layer to Musk’s broader plan to turn X into an all-in-one “everything app,” combining social media, payments, and private messaging in one place.

Whether XChat gains traction remains to be seen. Security experts have urged caution, noting that true trust in an encrypted platform requires independent audits and a proven track record. Until then, users may continue to rely on established platforms like Signal while watching XChat’s evolution unfold.

Sources: Gizmodo, The Verge, TechCrunch, Cointelegraph