Home / Technology / X Rolls Out Encrypted Chat, Replacing Twitter DMs with Privacy-Focused Features
X Rolls Out Encrypted Chat, Replacing Twitter DMs with Privacy-Focused Features
15 Nov
Summary
- X has replaced Twitter DMs with a new Chat feature
- Chat offers end-to-end encryption, message editing, and disappearing messages
- Many longtime Twitter power users are dismayed by the changes
On November 15th, 2025, Elon Musk's X platform has introduced a major overhaul to its messaging system, replacing the former Twitter DM (direct message) feature with a new Chat function. The new Chat offers several privacy-focused enhancements, including end-to-end encryption, the ability to edit and delete messages, and the option to set messages to disappear after a set time, similar to the Signal messaging app.
While the added privacy features are welcomed by some, the changes have dismayed many longtime Twitter power users. Finding and accessing existing group chats is now more challenging on the web version of X, and the ability to rename group chats has become difficult, if not impossible. Additionally, the mobile app version of Chat is reportedly slower than the previous DM system.
As a result of these changes, at least one of X's longtime group chats has already begun the process of migrating to the Discord platform. However, as the new owner of the platform, Elon Musk has the authority to implement these updates as he sees fit. It remains to be seen whether the Bluesky decentralized social network will eventually add its own group chat functionality to provide an alternative for disgruntled X users.
