X is lastly rolling out Chat, its DM alternative with encryption and video calling

X has lastly revealed its long-promised chat platform, which replaces the service’s primary DM performance with options extra just like the messaging capabilities on different mainstream apps. The replace provides voice and video calling, file sharing and the power to edit and delete beforehand despatched messages, in addition to privacy-focused options like end-to-end encryption and screenshot notifications.

The overhauled messaging options, known as Chat, are rolling out now on iOS and the online and shall be “coming soon” on Android, in keeping with the corporate. X additionally mentioned it is engaged on a voice memo characteristic for customers to trade audio messages.

X has been teasing its new “chat” options for several months. The corporate rolled out an early model of encrypted messaging earlier this 12 months, however “paused” the characteristic in Might to handle unspecified points. Now, it seems that X’s encryption now not has among the limitations it initially did. An article on X’s help center states that “in contrast to earlier than, group messages and media can now be encrypted,” although it notes that related metadata (together with details about the recipient) just isn’t encrypted.

X additionally states that “we don’t supply protections towards man-in-the-middle assaults,” which may compromise an encrypted chat. “Because of this, if somebody—a malicious insider or X itself because of a obligatory authorized course of—had been to compromise an encrypted dialog, neither the sender or receiver would know,” the corporate explains. X says it is engaged on options that may assist customers confirm the authenticity of encrypted conversations.