ETtech Explainer: What is XChat, the new DM feature coming to X
Elon Musk-owned social media platform X has been rolling out a new direct message (DM) feature to its beta users.
The new DM interface will be a robust replacement for X's existing messaging feature. With XChat in the works, X has stopped encrypting the present DM feature, as it would be redundant with the new rollout.
XChat availabilitySeveral beta testers who have paid for X's subscription product have been able to access XChat. Independent researcher Nima Owji confirmed that the feature is working and has several modern features. Earlier, X users with a paid subscription were able to use a limited version of encrypted messaging for two years.
What XChat offers
According to Owji, XChat will support advanced group chats and a vanishing mode, to automatically delete messages after a set time period.
The new DM feature will also offer Signal-like encryption, something Musk has been vying for since his takeover of the social media platform. Messages seem to be secured behind a four-digit passcode.
There's more
Musk has shared plans in the past to develop X, formerly known as Twitter, in an 'everything app'. To this end, the platform has been working on X Money, a digital transaction platform built into X. Visa has stepped in to power the digital wallet, which is slated to launch later in 2025.
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