XChat, Elon Musk's new private messaging feature on X (formerly Twitter), is designed to rival popular messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal. Here are its key features ¹ ²:

- *Private and Secure*: XChat offers end-to-end encryption, ensuring that only the sender and receiver can read the messages. However, experts have raised concerns about the true nature of this encryption, citing Musk's reference to "Bitcoin-style encryption," which might not be entirely accurate.

- *Disappearing Chats*: Messages can be set to auto-delete after a specified time, ranging from 5 minutes to 4 weeks.

- *File Sharing*: Users can send any type of file directly in the chat.

- *Voice and Video Calls*: XChat allows users to make calls without needing a phone number, and this feature works across devices.

- *Extra Security*: A 4-digit passcode adds an extra layer of protection to chats, while advanced encryption using private-public key technology aims to keep user identities safe.

*Availability and Future Plans*

- XChat is currently available in beta mode for paid users only, on Android, iOS, and web platforms.

- Elon Musk plans to transform X into a one-stop app for everything, including chatting, payments, shopping, and more. XChat is just the beginning of this vision ¹ ².

*Security Concerns*

- Some experts have questioned the security of XChat, citing the lack of technical transparency, audits, and open-source code.

- The platform's help page warns that it doesn't offer protections against man-in-the-middle attacks, and X might be compelled to share encrypted messages with authorities in certain cases ³.