X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, has introduced a major upgrade to its messaging system with the launch of Chat, a secure, privacy-focused experience for users.
The company announced that Chat supports end-to-end encryption for both messages and file sharing, giving users stronger protection for their private conversations.
One of the standout features of Chat is the ability to edit or delete sent messages. Users can also choose to make messages disappear after a set time, offering more control over their chat history. To further enhance privacy, X gives users the option to block screenshots altogether or receive alerts if someone tries to take a screenshot.
X has emphasized that Chat is designed with no ads and no tracking, positioning it as a truly private space for users to communicate without being monetized. The company describes the new messaging system as “total privacy,” underscoring its commitment to giving users more control over their personal data.
The feature is not entirely brand new in concept. XChat, the name behind the technology, has been in development and rolling out in phases. Earlier versions were available to a smaller group of users, including X Premium subscribers. But now Chat is being made more broadly available to people on iOS and web, with Android support coming soon.
To activate Chat, users are required to set a four-digit PIN. This PIN enables encryption of their private keys, which are used for securing conversations.
Security researchers have raised concerns about how X handles private keys. The four-digit PIN used to encrypt keys has limited complexity, making it theoretically possible to brute force, especially if advanced systems used by X do not provide added security. Critics also note that unlike established secure messaging platforms, X has not yet open sourced its encryption protocol.
Say hello to Chat – all-new secure messaging on X.
• end-to-end encrypted chats and file sharing
• edit, delete, or make messages disappear
• block screenshots and get notified of attempts
• no ads. no tracking. total privacy. pic.twitter.com/7dmDEDkYvO— Chat (@chat)
With Chat, X aims to reposition itself not just as a social media platform but as a full-featured communication service, a move that aligns with Elon Musk’s broader vision of turning X into an “everything app.”
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