Twitter Inc has launched its encrypted messaging service to users who subscribe to its Blue verification feature, offering early access to those who have the latest version of the app installed. A Twitter Blue subscription starts at $8 per month, or $84 per year, and has become the basis for verification on the platform.
Twitter’s encrypted messaging feature, known as “Secret Conversations,” adds an extra layer of security to direct messages by allowing users to have end-to-end encryption on messages they choose. Once enabled, no one can see the Secret Conversations except the sender and recipient, including Twitter itself.
Twitter has been testing the feature for months and, like many other platforms, is making efforts to improve user privacy and security. The move towards encryption has been sparked by increased public awareness around data privacy issues and a growing number of high-profile data breaches.
The new feature will initially be available to verified Twitter users with the latest version of the app. According to a Twitter blog post, Secret Conversations will roll out to all users in the coming weeks. The post also stated that Twitter is working to ensure the platform cannot access users’ encrypted messages, even if demanded by law enforcement.
In recent years, many messaging apps have added end-to-end encryption as standard, including WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram. This move towards encryption comes as users become increasingly concerned about the privacy and security of their online communications.
Twitter’s move to launch encrypted messaging for its Blue verified users comes as the company continues to face scrutiny over its handling of misinformation and abuse on the platform. In recent years, Twitter has taken steps to tackle these issues, such as introducing new rules around hate speech and disinformation and partnering with fact-checking organizations.
Overall, the new encrypted messaging feature is a step forward for Twitter in terms of user privacy and security and is likely to get welcome by those who have concerns about the safety of their online communications.
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