San Francisco, CA – Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk introduced a new audio and video calling feature on the X app, aiming to transform it into an all-encompassing platform. The feature, which leaks users’ IP addresses and lacks clear privacy settings, was rolled out last week.
According to X’s official announcement on Twitter, the audio and video calling feature is now available to all users. The functionality can be found within the Messages section of the X app, denoted by a phone icon in the top right corner on both iOS and Android devices.
One concerning aspect of the feature is its default setting, which enables peer-to-peer calls. This means that users’ IP addresses are shared during calls, potentially compromising their privacy. While X offers an option to enhance call privacy by routing calls through their infrastructure to mask IP addresses, encryption details are not specified.
Users can adjust their call settings to control who can contact them, choosing from options like “People you follow,” “People in your address book,” “Verified users,” or “Everyone.” Additionally, X’s reliance on its defunct livestreaming service, Periscope, for the calling feature raises questions about data security.
To mitigate potential privacy risks, users are advised to disable the calling feature altogether or carefully manage their settings. The complexity of X’s call settings, combined with the lack of end-to-end encryption, underscores the importance of user vigilance in safeguarding their personal information.
As X continues to expand its features and services, users must stay informed about the implications of using each new function. With privacy concerns growing in the digital age, understanding and managing one’s digital footprint is key to protecting sensitive information from unauthorized access.