UX finally moves on to chat, its replacement of DM with encryption and video calling
UX has finally unveiled its long-promised chat platform, replacing the service’s basic DM functionality with things like messaging capabilities from other mainstream apps. The update adds voice and video calling, file sharing and the ability to edit and delete previously sent messages, as well as privacy-focused features such as end-to-end writing and screen notifications.
The advanced messaging features, called Chat, are rolling out now on iOS and the web and will be “coming soon” to Android, according to the company. UX also said it works on the Voice Memo feature for users to exchange audio messages.
UX has been teasing its new “Chat” features for several months. The company released the first version of encrypted messaging earlier this year, but “suspended” the feature in May to address unspecified issues. Now, it turns out that X’s encryption no longer has some of the clues it did in the beginning. An article on X’s help center says “Unlike before, group messages and media can now be encrypted,” although it notes that corresponding Metadata (including information about the recipient) is not encrypted.
UX also mentions that “we do not prevent man-in-the-middle attacks,” which would surprise an encrypted conversation. “As a result, if a person – a malicious insider or X himself due to a mandatory legal process – was to take down a written conversation, the sender or the receiver can,” the company knows. UX says it is working on features that will help users verify the authenticity of encrypted conversations.
