Elon Musk's assertion about XChat's Bitcoin encryption capabilities draws skepticism from experts
In a move that could redefine online communication, Elon Musk, CEO and owner of social media platform X, has announced the rollout of a new messaging service named XChat. Musk's announcements signal a shift in turning X into a comprehensive online communication platform, offering encrypted messaging, voice and video calling, and security features reminiscent of Bitcoin.
XChat is built using the Rust programming language, a choice that has sparked some controversy. Luke Dashjr, a Bitcoin Core developer, has expressed concerns about Rust's security claims and potential risks such as unsafe code blocks, language complexity, and dependency management. However, specific security concerns regarding Rust's use for a messaging service like XChat are yet to be detailed.
Bitcoin, the digital currency at the heart of X's parent company, also employs robust security measures. It utilizes elliptic curve cryptography and the SHA-256 hashing algorithm for transaction security, but unlike XChat, it does not use encryption for transaction verification. Instead, Bitcoin relies on digital signatures, a concept echoed by Luke Dashjr in response to Musk's announcement.
Samson Mow, CEO of Pixelmatic and JAN3, also clarified that Bitcoin itself is not encrypted. XChat, on the other hand, employs encryption inspired by Bitcoin's security model, adding another layer of privacy to its communications.
As XChat enters the digital communication landscape, details about adoption, user privacy, and regulatory compliance are yet to be revealed. Whether XChat will spark new controversy or strengthen X's position is yet to be seen. The impact of this move on X's position in the global tech landscape is also uncertain.
One thing is clear: Musk's actions with XChat are another bold step in his vision for the future of digital interaction. As XChat evolves, it will be interesting to see how it impacts the way we communicate online.
Technology magazine experts are now discussing the security aspects of Elon Musk's new messaging service, XChat. Given its blockchain-inspired encryption, XChat aims to offer enhanced security in digital communication, a feature that sets it apart from Bitcoin's transaction verification system.
