X Launches Chat: Encrypted Messaging for All Users

San Francisco, CA — In a major update, X, formerly known as Twitter, has officially launched Chat, an end-to-end encrypted direct messaging service. Announced on November 16, 2025, the new functionality aims to enhance privacy and compete with messaging giants like WhatsApp and Signal.

Chat includes a suite of features such as video and voice calls, disappearing messages, file sharing, and options to edit or delete messages. This comprehensive upgrade replaces X’s legacy DM system and is now available on iOS with wider access expected soon.

Months of testing preceded this rollout, during which X sought to add robust encryption functionality. Earlier in 2025, the company had paused its initial encrypted feature to refine the user experience. This led to the development of a new back-end architecture, which X describes as using a ‘Bitcoin-style encryption’.

Despite the company’s ambitious security claims, experts remain skeptical. Reports indicate that while the messaging content may be protected, metadata—information about who is messaging whom—could still be accessible to X under certain conditions. Critics argue that without proper safeguards, users’ privacy could still be at risk.

Elon Musk, CEO of X, has envisioned this update as part of a broader strategy to transform the platform into an ‘everything app,’ incorporating messaging, payment systems, and more. The success of Chat is crucial to Musk’s goal of creating an integrated digital ecosystem.

The introduction of screenshot protection and notifications for screenshot attempts demonstrates X’s attempt to prioritize user privacy in a landscape increasingly aware of data security issues. However, whether users will fully trust the platform remains uncertain.

The rollout represents a significant pivot for X as it seeks to redefine its place in the social media sphere, moving beyond simple status updates to more functional communication tools.

As the industry continues to evolve in response to privacy concerns, X’s Chat could signal a shift in how social media operates, depending on user adoption and trust. Future updates may include additional privacy features and cross-platform support, further integrating X’s services.