New York (NY Today) Tesla and SpaceX chief executive Elon Musk has slammed Meta-owned WhatsApp over data security and asked users to use XChat instead.
Elon Musk’s post comes in the wake of a lawsuit filed against Meta that challenges WhatsApp’s privacy and security claims.
Elon Musk wrote on X (formerly Twitter) “Whatsapp is not secure. Even the signal is suspect. Use X-Chat.
Musk made the comment in response to a user’s post, which claimed that WhatsApp could read its users’ private chats, even though the company promises end-to-end encryption.
According to a Bloomberg report, the plaintiffs who filed the lawsuit are from India, Australia, Brazil, Mexico and South Africa. The plaintiffs alleged that Meta and WhatsApp stored, analyzed and accessed private conversations of users and thereby defrauded billions of users.
WhatsApp says that thanks to its end-to-end encryption, messages are limited to only the sender and receiver. Meta spokesman Andy Stone called the lawsuit “frivolous and baseless” and said the company would seek sanctions against the plaintiffs’ lawyers through legal action.
It should be noted that Meta bought WhatsApp in 2014, and end-to-end encryption has been part of it for the past decade.
Q: What did Elon Musk say about WhatsApp?
A: Elon Musk warned that WhatsApp is not safe, raising concerns over user privacy and data security.
Q: Did he mention Signal as well?
A: Yes, Musk also questioned Signal’s security, calling it suspicious without giving detailed technical reasons.
Q: Which app did Elon Musk recommend instead?
A: He suggested using XChat, a messaging platform linked to his X ecosystem.
Q: Why is Musk’s statement significant?
A: As the owner of X and a major tech influencer, Musk’s comments can influence public trust in popular messaging apps.
Q: Has WhatsApp or Signal responded to these claims?
A: As of now, neither WhatsApp nor Signal has issued an official response to Musk’s remarks.
Q: Should users stop using WhatsApp immediately?
A: Experts advise users to stay informed, review privacy settings, and wait for official clarifications before switching platforms.