X (formerly Twitter) made a big announcement about encrypted direct messages being on hold for now. The platform announced it’s pausing the feature while working on some improvements. Although users can still view old encrypted chats, sending new encrypted messages is currently disabled. Also Read: Elon Musk Reveals Big Gaming Plans: xAI To Launch ‘AI-Generated Game’ By 2026

What’s the Deal with Encrypted DMs on X?

Encrypted DMs were only available in early access and limited to conversations between verified users. It had its own restrictions, like no encryption for group chats, multimedia messages, or metadata. So it was a cautious, basic rollout at best. But suddenly pausing this is a big move from X, and now there’s official confirmation from the company on when encrypted chats will return. This pause might be because of the rumored XChat platform that X employees have been teasing. XChat is rumoured to offer enhanced security, including PIN-protected chats and more robust end-to-end encryption.  Also Read: Asus ROG Xbox Ally, ROG Xbox Ally X Gaming Handhelds Launched In India: Price, Features, Availability

Starting today we will be pausing the encrypted DMs feature while we work on making some improvements. You will still be able to access your encrypted DMs, but won't be able to send new ones. Also Read: Asus ROG Xbox Ally, ROG Xbox Ally X Pre-Orders Begin In India Starting Today: Check Specs, Launch Date, and More

— Engineering (@XEng) May 28, 2025

This pause also comes right after a major outage, possibly linked to a fire at an Oregon data center. That caused multiple problems for the platform. Users have been facing issues with the in-app messaging system, X’s inbox feature, and more. Mostly, all this might just be a way to introduce the XChat app, which also aligns with X owner Elon Musk’s ambitions to turn the platform into an everything app. Musks’s aim is to create an ecosystem that goes beyond social media and adds services like payments, streaming, and more.