X (formerly Twitter) is rolling out XChat, a revamped direct messaging system, to some paid users. Reverse engineer Nima Owji confirmed to TechCrunch that the feature appears ready for broader launch.
Why it matters
XChat could mark a major overhaul of how messaging works on the platform — replacing the current DMs system inherited from pre-Musk Twitter.
Details
- Some paid users report access to XChat.
- Features rumored to be included:
- Group chats
- End-to-end encryption
- Vanishing messages
- Unread message marking
- File sharing
- Passcode protection
- X paused work on its encrypted DMs feature Thursday, possibly clearing the path for XChat’s full release.
- Encrypted DMs have only been available in a limited form to subscribers for the past two years.
The big picture
Elon Musk has long hinted at building a secure, Signal-like messenger into X. If XChat launches publicly, it may be the clearest sign yet that he’s delivering on that vision.
