Elon Musk’s new messaging app, XChat, launched with a bang and a bit of controversy. Critics point out that it requires linking an existing X account, raising red flags about user data collection practices.

The app’s history of security issues, combined with its reliance on a social media platform for messaging, has led experts to question whether it can compete with established secure messengers like Signal and WhatsApp.

Musk seems eager to position XChat as the ultimate encrypted solution, but early impressions suggest it might be more akin to Facebook’s Messenger. The app’s launch schedule was erratic, and its features seem limited compared to other options available on the market.

While the privacy policy claims no tracking, it’s hard to take at face value, given its apparent contradictions. For now, XChat remains a niche product for those deeply invested in X, while others stick with tried-and-true encrypted messaging apps.