X Now Has Its Own Chat App

Guess what just landed in the app store? XChat! On Friday afternoon, X officially rolled out its very own dedicated chat app, promising a secure new way to keep your conversations on the platform. But like any shiny new tech, it comes with a few caveats you'll want to be aware of before diving in.

XChat: Your X DMs, Reimagined (and Encrypted!)

At first glance, XChat feels exactly like the standalone messaging app you'd expect. It's designed to be a hub for your X DMs, neatly arranging them in a familiar interface. Its biggest selling point? End-to-end encryption. Upon setup, XChat makes a big deal about this, explaining that your messages are unreadable by anyone—even X. You'll even set up a passcode just to get in.

Once inside, you can send all the usual suspects: audio recordings, GIFs, files, photos, or snap new pics. There's also some neat customization:

• Set nicknames for chats.
• Block screenshots (a neat privacy touch!).
• Turn on disappearing messages.
• Choose from light/dark themes.
• Customize swipe actions (like a message or see its info).
• Pick from eight different app icons!

Here's a crucial point though: encryption doesn't apply to previous chats. You'll see an alert like "This conversation is now end-to-end encrypted" only after you send a new message. So, your old DMs remain in their original state. If you have a large social circle on X and want a dedicated, encrypted space for new conversations, this could be a handy addition.

The XChat Privacy Paradox

Now for the part that really makes you go "hmm." While XChat bangs the drum for a "private experience" with "no tracking," its App Privacy page tells a slightly different story. Despite offering end-to-end encryption for your messages, the app still reserves the right to collect and link a significant amount of data directly to your identity.

According to its own transparency report, XChat may take:

• Your contact info
• Your contacts
• Identifiers
• Device diagnostics
• Usage data

While this is an improvement from what was initially announced (which included location and search history!), it still feels contradictory for an app touting privacy. If true, holistic privacy is your top concern, then dedicated, privacy-first apps like Signal or Telegram remain the gold standard.

So, what's the takeaway? If end-to-end encryption for your new X DMs is your main priority, and you're comfortable with the data X still collects about your usage, XChat delivers on that specific front. Just be aware of what you're signing up for beyond the secure message bubble.