Last year in November 2023, Twitter’s owner Elon Musk told his employees that he would encrypt direct messages under his Twitter 2.0. He announced the early version of encrypted direct messages on his Twitter handle on 11 May 2023. Along with this, he has also said that you should adopt this new feature but not trust it now. On his Twitter handle, he wrote “Early version of encrypted direct messages just launched. Try it, but don’t trust it yet.” Encrypted direct messages on Twitter are different from WhatsApp and iMessage, but how? Let’s know about it.
Encrypted Direct Messages
Mr. Elon Musk acquired Twitter last year. He promised that he would make radical changes in the company and its platform working style. Encrypted direct messages and the Twitter verification system are part of those changes.
On a support page, Twitter explained that encrypted direct messages are a must. This will make Twitter the most trusted platform in the internet world.
Elon Musk said, “There should be some standards when it comes to direct messages. No matter how much pressure put on us, we will not be able to access your messages. Although we have not reached that point yet, but still, we are trying and working towards it”.
How it is Different from iMessages and WhatsApp?
WhatsApp and iMessage use end-to-end encryption for messages. In WhatsApp and iMessage, all messages are stored in an encrypted manner. Only the sender and receiver can able to view them. But how is it different from WhatsApp and iMessage? Let us know about it:
- WhatsApp and iMessage are available for free for all users whereas Twitter encrypted direct messages are available only for verified users (Twitter Blue Tick Subscribers) or a verified organization.
- The sender and receiver of messages must have a Twitter App (Web, Android, or iOS) with the latest version.
- According to Twitter the blog post “the recipient must follow the sender or has sent a message to sender earlier, or has accepted earlier a Direct Message request from the sender”.
Limitations of Twitter Encrypted Messages
- Users of Twitter can only send texts and links for now. Sending any media (photos and videos) is not allowed for now.
- This feature is available only for individuals for now. It is not for groups.
- There is no way to create encrypted messages directly by the default setting. Every time a user starts a new conversation, it is necessary to intentionally choose encryption.
- Currently, new devices (either the user shifted to a new device or the user re-installed the Twitter app on the same device) cannot join existing encrypted conversations. If the user logged-in from any new device, then existing encrypted conversations will be filtered out.
- Maximum 10 devices per user allowed for encrypted messages. Once limit reached user will not able to send or receive encrypted direct messages on any new device.
- Currently, users cannot report an encrypted message to Twitter because of its encrypted nature of conversation.
- If you log out from the Twitter app then all messages including encrypted ones present on your current device will be deleted without affecting your other devices.
- When you delete an encrypted direct message, it will be deleted from your account only.
Summary
Twitter announced its new feature “Encrypted Direct Messages” on 11 May 2023. Elon Musk advised the user to adopt this new feature but at the same time advised not to rely on it yet. Direct encrypted messages feature is slightly different from WhatsApp and iMessage features and also has many limitations. Elon Musk also said that soon Twitter will get features for voice and video chats so that users can talk freely anywhere without revealing their phone numbers.
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