XChat launch: Elon Musk to release app this week, will it replace WhatsApp?

Economic Times

4 days ago

Elon Musk unveils XChat, an encrypted messaging and calling feature rolling out on X this week. With end-to-end encryption, file sharing, and vanishing messages, XChat aims to rival WhatsApp and advance Musk's vision of turning X into an 'everything app".
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Encrypted Messaging, File Sharing, and More
Signal-Like Privacy, Bitcoin-Style Security?
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A Step Toward the 'Everything App'
Tech World Watches Closely
FAQs
What is XChat?
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In a fresh push toward transforming his social media platform X into a comprehensive digital ecosystem, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has announced that XChat, a new encrypted messaging and calling service, will begin rolling out to users this week. The development marks a significant expansion of X's capabilities, raising questions about whether Musk's platform could become a viable competitor to WhatsApp, the dominant player in the messaging space, as mentioned in a report by Forbes.The announcement, made by Musk via a post on X on Monday, outlined key features of XChat, including end-to-end encryption, vanishing messages, the ability to share 'any kind of file,' and the option to make audio or video calls without the need for a phone number.The new functionalities will be layered onto the platform's existing direct messaging service, which originally stemmed from its predecessor, Twitter.Musk stated the rollout will begin 'this week,' barring any technical issues. Reports indicate that some paying subscribers on X Premium have already begun accessing early iterations of the XChat service, suggesting limited testing is underway.A notable emphasis has been placed on privacy and encryption. Musk previously said he aimed to make direct messaging on X mirror the encrypted platform Signal, known for its strong security protocols. In his Monday post, Musk mentioned that XChat would adopt 'Bitcoin-style encryption'.However, this has drawn scrutiny from tech experts, as Bitcoin does not use encryption in a conventional sense but instead relies on cryptography and digital signatures to secure its blockchain network.Nevertheless, Musk's intent appears to be reinforcing privacy standards that go beyond those of many mainstream messaging apps. He has also previously criticised Meta-owned WhatsApp, alleging it lacks sufficient user security—a claim WhatsApp has repeatedly denied, as mentioned in a report by Forbes.The introduction of XChat is part of Musk's broader vision to transform X into an 'everything app,' a goal he articulated before acquiring Twitter in a $44 billion deal in October 2022. The idea draws inspiration from Chinese super apps like WeChat, which combine messaging, social networking, payments, shopping, and entertainment.Musk has already initiated steps toward this model. In January, he announced a partnership with Visa to enable peer-to-peer payments on X, putting it in direct competition with services like Zelle and Venmo. The platform has also integrated Grok, an AI-powered chatbot, as part of its growing suite of features.X CEO Linda Yaccarino has echoed Musk's ambitions, calling the rollout of financial and messaging tools central to the company's roadmap.The launch of XChat could signal a new era for digital communications, especially if it manages to scale and attract a global user base. While WhatsApp currently dominates the messaging market with over 2 billion active users, XChat's promise of integrated functionality, privacy, and a social media backbone could position it as a disruptive force—if executed effectively.For now, all eyes are on Musk and whether XChat, poised to debut this week, can indeed carve out a meaningful space in the saturated messaging app market.XChat is a new encrypted messaging and calling service introduced by Elon Musk on X (formerly Twitter), offering secure text, audio, video, and file-sharing capabilities.According to Musk, the rollout will begin this week. Some X Premium subscribers have reportedly started seeing early access.