Musk Announces New Chat Feature for X

Elon Musk announced a new chat feature for X that raises questions about its encryption claims.

Musk Promises X Chat Feature with Unique Encryption

Elon Musk revealed that X, formerly known as Twitter, is launching a new chat feature with what he calls "bitcoin-style encryption." This feature, named XChat, is designed to enhance user communication by incorporating features like encryption and disappearing messages while allowing file sharing. Despite the excitement, experts question Musk's terminology as Bitcoin is not specifically known for encryption. Samson Mow, CEO of a Bitcoin technology firm, pointed out that cryptographic principles are different from encryption itself. Meanwhile, security researcher Ian Miers humorously criticized the term, comparing it to absurd claims about rocket fuel. While Musk envisions X as an expansive platform with multifunctionality, the financial health of the company remains uncertain, leading to skepticism among users and experts.

Musk's attempt to position X as a versatile "everything app" faces challenges, especially with its declining user base and revenues. The company saw its valuation drop significantly since Musk's acquisition. Moreover, Musk's political involvements have complicated his business ventures and might be affecting consumer perception. Introducing a new chat feature could be a move to attract users back, but skepticism regarding the actual security of the service remains a critical issue. The challenges Musk faces reflect broader trends in the tech industry where user trust is paramount.

Highlights

The success of XChat remains to be seen amidst ongoing financial and reputational challenges.