Elon Musk has launched XChat, a standalone encrypted messaging app for X users, amid criticism from security experts regarding its data privacy practices and overall platform integration.

Key Points

• XChat requires users to link an existing X account, raising concerns about data tracking and user privacy.
• Security experts, including those from the Electronic Frontier Foundation, have questioned the app's cryptographic key storage and lack of independent auditing.
• The app's launch was marked by multiple delays and confusion, with some users initially unable to access the service in certain regions like the UK.
• Privacy labels on the App Store appear to contradict the company's "no tracking" claims by listing collected identifiers and usage data.
• The app functions as an extension of the X platform, sharing help centers and terms of service rather than operating as a standalone secure messenger.

Why it Matters

The launch of XChat highlights the challenges of competing in a crowded messaging market dominated by established, trusted platforms like Signal and WhatsApp. For users, the app's reliance on X account integration and its questionable privacy policies may limit its appeal beyond the platform's existing power-user base.