Goodbye WhatsApp? Elon Musk Releases X Chat with Encryption & No Phone Number

For years, Elon Musk has promised to turn X (formerly Twitter) into an "Everything App" similar to WeChat in China. In late 2025, he took the biggest step yet toward that goal by officially rolling out X Chat.

This isn't just a small update to your Direct Messages (DMs). It is a complete overhaul of the messaging infrastructure designed to kill WhatsApp and Signal. With promises of "Bitcoin-style" encryption and total anonymity, X Chat is trying to solve the biggest privacy complaints users have with Meta.

In this article, we break down exactly what X Chat is, why the "no phone number" feature is a game-changer, and if it is safe enough to make you delete WhatsApp.

What is X Chat?

X Chat is a new communication layer built directly into the X app (with a standalone version rumored to follow). Unlike the old Twitter DMs, which were slow and unencrypted, X Chat is built on a peer-to-peer architecture.

Its goal is simple: Privacy first.

While WhatsApp is tied to your phone number and collects metadata (who you talk to and when), X Chat is tied only to your X handle. This means you can communicate globally without ever revealing your personal contact details to the other person or to advertisers.

The Killer Feature: No Phone Number Required

The biggest selling point of X Chat is anonymity. To use WhatsApp or Telegram, you must give them your phone number. This links your digital identity to your real-world identity, making it easy for governments or hackers to track you.

X Chat eliminates this:

• Audio & Video Calls: You can make high-quality calls to anyone on the platform without exchanging numbers.
• Global Address Book: X acts as a global directory. You don't need a contact list; you just need a username.
• Privacy: If you are calling a business or a stranger from the internet, they never see your digits. This prevents spam calls and SIM-swapping attacks.

"Bitcoin-Style" Encryption Explained

Musk has described the security of X Chat as being "similar to Bitcoin." But what does that mean?

It refers to a Peer-to-Peer (P2P) encryption model.

• No Middleman: Traditional apps store your messages on a central server (even if encrypted). X Chat aims to route messages more directly between devices, minimizing the time data sits on a corporate server.
• Perma-Delete: X Chat introduces a "Vanishing Mode" that actually works. Because the system is less centralized, when you delete a message, it is scrubbed more effectively than on platforms that keep server backups.
• No "Advertising Hooks": Musk has stated that unlike Meta, X Chat has no code designed to scan metadata for ad targeting.

X Chat vs. WhatsApp: Should You Switch?

Is it time to say goodbye to the green app? Here is how they compare in 2025.

The Verdict:
If you want to talk to your grandmother, stick with WhatsApp. It is simple and everyone has it.
However, if you are coordinating with online communities, talking to business clients, or just value your privacy, X Chat is superior because it protects your phone number.

Conclusion

X Chat is Elon Musk's most aggressive move yet. By removing the need for phone numbers, he has created a level of privacy that WhatsApp cannot match. While it may not replace your family group chat today, it is rapidly becoming the default tool for the privacy-conscious internet.

Source - indiatoday.in , tweaktown.com , timesofindia.indiatimes.com , alarabiya.net