Elon Musk has announced new encryption features for XChat, a messaging service on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter. However, confidence in the reliability of these features is questioned by experts.
Development of XChat and Its Features
XChat, written in Rust, offers users a range of security-oriented features: end-to-end encrypted messaging, disappearing messages, support for any file types, and video calls without needing a phone number.
Cryptographic Aspects of Encryption
Musk claims that XChat's encryption is based on the same algorithms as Bitcoin. This suggests the use of elliptic curve techniques for key exchange and message encryption. However, specialists point out that Bitcoin does not encrypt transactions but merely signs them, raising questions about the marketing assertions.
Expert Opinions and Potential Implications
There are disagreements within the security community. Some experts welcome XChat as a step towards wider implementation of encryption, while others warn about the risks associated with the lack of open code and audits. \n\n CITE_W_A: "Needless to say, ‘Bitcoin style’ and ‘Rust’ are not descriptions of an encryption scheme, nor are they strong indicators of security for a messaging app." — Ian Miers, cryptography professor. \n\n CITE_NA: "XChat’s ECC-based protocols could set a new standard for privacy, but only if they’re transparent and auditable." — @PrivacyMatters, June 2, 2025.
XChat's encryption could represent a significant innovation in secure messaging, but the need for transparency and audits remains pressing. The competition for secure messaging apps with integrated cryptocurrency is just beginning.
