Topline
Billionaire and X owner Elon Musk announced XChat, an encrypted messaging and calling platform considered a possible competitor to WhatsApp, will begin rolling out on X this week with features like vanishing messages and the ability to send “any kind of file,” as Musk takes another step toward making X a so-called “everything app.”
Musk said XChat will begin rolling out this week. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Key Facts
Musk announced in a post on X Monday morning XChat will begin rolling out to X users “this week,” barring any issues.
The XChat update will expand the direct messaging function, a feature that dates back to X’s predecessor Twitter, which Musk says will include encryption, file sharing, vanishing messages and audio or visual phone calls that can be made without a phone number.
Some X users who pay for the platform’s premium subscription have already been able to access XChat, TechCrunch reported.
Musk said the feature will use “Bitcoin style” encryption, which sparked some confusion as Bitcoin does not use encryption, but rather uses cryptography and digital signatures for security, according to TechCrunch.
Musk has previously posted that he wants DMs on X to resemble the encrypted messaging platform Signal to increase privacy, and he has frequently attacked the Meta-owned WhatsApp, a possible XChat competitor, as not secure.
How Is Musk Making X An “everything App?”
Before Musk purchased Twitter in October 2022, he posted: “Buying Twitter is an accelerant to creating X, the everything app,” which both he and X CEO Linda Yaccarino still say is their vision for the platform. Musk has envisioned X combining the function of many different apps, including financial services. In January, he said he struck a deal with Visa, through which X users can make payments to one another in a similar style to money transferring apps like Zelle or Venmo. X also offers an AI chatbot, Grok. The vision for an “everything app” may take inspiration from similar Chinese platforms, like WeChat, which allows users to do mobile banking, play games, social networking and shop online, among other activities.
Forbes Valuation
Musk is the wealthiest person in the world, with a net worth of $418.3 billion, according to Forbes estimates. He owns about 12% of Tesla, which he co-founded, and 42% of SpaceX. Musk purchased Twitter in a $44 billion deal in October 2022 before renaming the platform X.
Further Reading
Elon Musk says XChat is rolling out to all, but questions remain about its alleged security (TechCrunch)
Read the full article here