Elon Musk has officially revealed X Chat, a standalone encrypted messaging application that promises to set new privacy standards for digital communication.
Announced on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast on October 31, X Chat features peer-to-peer encryption inspired by the decentralized design of Bitcoin, aiming to become the most secure mainstream messaging option.
Musk explained that X Chat, developed alongside an integrated version for the X platform, represents a comprehensive rebuild of the messaging infrastructure.
This overhaul is designed to eliminate vulnerabilities common in ad-supported messaging services, shifting towards a privacy-centric model that does not rely on advertising revenue.
Why Did Musk Rebuild Messaging for X Chat?
Elon Musk emphasized the need for a new messaging platform after observing security flaws in existing competitors, notably the fact that platforms like WhatsApp and Meta collect metadata to deliver targeted ads.
Musk described these advertising hooks as “massive vulnerabilities,” arguing that any system built around ad targeting opens doors for hackers and undermines user privacy.
To address these concerns, Musk and the X engineering team rebuilt the entire messaging stack from scratch.
The goal was to close data loopholes created by ad-supported ecosystems and offer a messaging platform immune to tracking and ad-based exploitation. According to Musk, user communications on X Chat will remain encrypted end-to-end, inaccessible even to X itself.
Did you know?
Signal was first developed by Open Whisper Systems, a project started in 2013, and its protocol later became the backbone for WhatsApp’s encryption methods although WhatsApp still collects metadata.
How Does Bitcoin-Style Encryption Work in Messaging?
Musk compared X Chat’s security architecture to Bitcoin’s decentralized infrastructure. While Bitcoin's cryptographic model protects digital assets, X Chat will use peer-to-peer encryption that decentralizes message storage, making it difficult for any central entity or attacker to access the content.
Cryptography experts clarify that X Chat’s approach focuses on server-free message routes rather than Bitcoin’s transaction protocols.
This encryption model will initially support text and file sharing. Later updates are expected to introduce voice and video call capabilities.
Musk also noted that X Chat’s encryption is being designed to safeguard privacy even more rigorously than other popular apps, addressing both message content and the metadata that often leaks user data.
Can X Chat Compete with WhatsApp and Signal?
X Chat is Musk’s direct response to privacy shortcomings in apps like WhatsApp and Telegram. According to Kaspersky’s Privacy Rankings for 2025, WhatsApp trails behind Signal and other competitors, scoring poorly for practical privacy despite its end-to-end encryption.
Signal leads in privacy, requiring minimal user information, making it the gold standard for advocates such as Edward Snowden.
Currently, X Chat is available only to Premium X subscribers in beta. It allows users to send text, images, files, and media attachments securely, tied to X handles instead of phone numbers.
Musk aims for X Chat to soon become the mainstream choice for secure communications and a core feature of his “everything app” strategy for X.
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Will X Chat’s Ad-Free Model Set New Privacy Standards?
Musk’s commitment to an ad-free business model sets X Chat apart from major messaging services, which typically depend on advertising revenue. He believes removing ads is key to closing privacy loopholes and reducing the risk of external hacking or data mining.
The model positions X Chat as a trust-first platform, prioritizing user safety over monetization through tracking.
Surveys bolster Musk’s approach. A 2023 Pew Research Center poll found that 81 percent of Americans fear companies will use personal data in unwanted ways.
The growing concern about privacy and data exploitation makes X Chat’s ad-free stance especially appealing to users seeking a secure alternative to existing messaging solutions.
What Features Are Planned for X Chat’s Rollout?
X Chat’s launch will occur in two phases: a standalone app and integration within the X platform. The beta version offers text messaging, file sharing, and support for photos and media, with future upgrades planned for voice and video calls.
Importantly, registration and use are tied to X handles rather than phone numbers, which Musk says bolsters privacy and anonymity.
As it moves closer to public release, X Chat sets out to redefine the expectations for digital communication with security-oriented design choices, encryption enhancements, and steadfast resistance to advertising influence.
The debut of X Chat signals broader ambitions for X as a multi-functional everything app, combining social, financial, and media tools under one trusted umbrella.
With encrypted messaging as its foundation, X Chat could spark innovation among competitors and reshape privacy standards for millions of users worldwide.
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