Twitter's CEO, Elon Musk, declared on Tuesday that audio and video chats would soon be supported by the platform.
Twitter will soon introduce a direct chat capability, competing with other messaging platforms like Messenger, Signal, Telegram, and WhatsApp, according to Elon Musk. Musk also attacked WhatsApp, saying that the parent firm Meta's messaging service "cannot be trusted." In order to improve privacy and secure user data, Musk also disclosed that Twitter will start encrypting direct chats on the network.
Musk's announcement comes after he implemented changes on the platform, sometimes causing confusion among users, since purchasing Twitter for $44 billion late last year. Despite the potential for confusion, the new messaging feature is expected to be well-received by Twitter users, as it will provide a more comprehensive user experience on the platform. However, the move will also put Twitter in direct competition with other messaging services that already have a significant user base, which could pose challenges for the company.
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Musk's comments about WhatsApp come amid a broader debate about data privacy and the security of messaging platforms. While WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption, some experts have raised concerns about the metadata collected by the service, including user metadata and device information. Musk's comments suggest that Twitter will prioritize user privacy and data security, which could give the company a competitive edge in the messaging market.
Twitter's move into the messaging space is a significant development for the company, which has struggled to expand beyond its core microblogging functionality. By offering a direct messaging service, Twitter is positioning itself as a comprehensive communications platform, which could attract new users and drive engagement. However, the company will need to carefully navigate the competitive messaging market and ensure that its new features do not alienate existing users.
The CEO of Twitter has announced plans to develop a multi-functional program, known as "X", which will integrate various features such as communication and payment services. Interestingly, Elon Musk's tech company has recently been incorporated under the "X" shell corporation, with the Twitter name being dropped while retaining the name of the service.
