Tech billionaire Elon Musk has revealed plans for a new encrypted messaging app called “X Chat”, which he says will prioritize user privacy and eliminate the advertising-driven data collection model used by competitors like WhatsApp. The app, currently under testing, is expected to roll out within the next few months.
Speaking on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Musk said the team behind X, formerly known as Twitter, has completely rebuilt its messaging framework into what he calls “X Chat.”
“It’s using a peer-to-peer-based encryption system, kind of similar to Bitcoin. It’s very good encryption; we’re testing it thoroughly,” Musk said.
A Privacy-First Alternative to WhatsApp and Telegram
According to Musk, the motivation behind X Chat is to create a secure, private communication tool that doesn’t rely on ad targeting. He emphasized that X Chat will not sell or share user data with advertisers — a stark contrast to Meta-owned WhatsApp, which collects metadata to improve ad delivery across its platforms.
“WhatsApp knows enough about what you’re texting to know what ads to show you,” Musk said. “That’s a massive security vulnerability, because if it knows enough information to show you ads, hackers could use those same hooks to read your private messages.”
Musk said X Chat will avoid these “hooks” entirely, opting for a fully encrypted architecture that keeps both content and metadata private. The approach draws inspiration from Bitcoin’s decentralized security model, ensuring that messages cannot be intercepted or read, even by the app itself.
What Makes X Chat Different
While popular messengers like Telegram and WhatsApp offer end-to-end encryption, they have faced repeated criticism for potential loopholes in how they handle user data. For example, WhatsApp’s parent company Meta states that it cannot read user messages because they’re encrypted using the Signal Protocol. However, metadata — such as who you contact and how often — is not encrypted, and backups may not be protected either.
That’s where Musk aims to set X Chat apart. The billionaire claims that his upcoming platform will go beyond message encryption by removing data-collection pathways entirely, including ad tracking and metadata retention.
“Our goal with X Chat is to replace what used to be the Twitter DM stack with a fully encrypted system where you can text, send files, and make audio or video calls,” Musk said. “I think it will be the least insecure of any messaging system.”
The Bigger Vision for X
The development of X Chat aligns with Musk’s broader ambition to turn X into an all-in-one platform — integrating social media, payments, news, and communication in a single ecosystem. Since acquiring Twitter in 2022, Musk has repeatedly said he wants to model X after China’s WeChat, a multi-functional app that combines messaging, commerce, and digital identity.
With X Chat, Musk is taking another step toward that “everything app” vision. However, his emphasis on encryption “similar to Bitcoin” suggests he’s also seeking to establish trust through transparency and cryptography, rather than centralized control.
Concerns About Data Privacy on Existing Platforms
The move comes amid growing skepticism about how major tech companies handle private data. Despite assurances from Meta and others, critics argue that metadata exposure still leaves users vulnerable to profiling, surveillance, and potential leaks.
WhatsApp’s own FAQ confirms that while messages and calls are encrypted, metadata such as user activity, contacts, and communication frequency remains visible to Meta. Furthermore, unless users enable encrypted backups manually, their chat history could still be accessed if cloud storage accounts are compromised.
This gap has created space for privacy-focused alternatives, such as Signal, Threema, and Session, which offer open-source encryption with minimal data collection. Musk’s X Chat appears poised to enter this niche — but with the advantage of integration within the X ecosystem, giving it massive reach from day one.
Encryption Modeled After Bitcoin
Musk’s comment about using an encryption system “similar to Bitcoin” highlights a decentralized, cryptographic model. Bitcoin’s blockchain technology relies on peer-to-peer verification rather than central servers — an approach Musk seems to be mirroring for secure message transmission.
If implemented successfully, X Chat could represent one of the first mainstream messaging systems built around blockchain-style cryptography, potentially setting a new standard for digital communication security.
Release Timeline and Expectations
Musk expects X Chat to launch in the coming months, though he hasn’t provided an exact date. The app is reportedly undergoing internal testing, with engineers focusing on encryption stability and cross-platform compatibility.
Given Musk’s record of ambitious rollouts, the crypto-inspired messenger is already generating significant attention among tech and privacy enthusiasts alike.
As data protection becomes a central concern for users worldwide, X Chat could emerge as a major challenger to established players like WhatsApp and Telegram — especially if Musk delivers on his promise of no ads, no tracking, and no data sharing.
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