**X’s New Calling Feature Raises Privacy Concerns as IP Addresses are Revealed by Default**
X, the popular app developed by Elon Musk to revolutionize social media, has recently rolled out a new calling feature that has sparked a debate about privacy. Concerns have been raised as the feature, which is enabled by default, reveals users’ IP addresses to anyone they communicate with through the app.
The vision behind this feature, as conceived by Musk, is to transform X into an all-encompassing platform that incorporates various social media functionalities, including audio and video calls. However, the default setting of revealing users’ IP addresses has ignited privacy concerns, as it exposes their locations and online activities.
The calling feature is situated within the Messages section of the X app and allows users to engage in audio and video calls directly from their devices. Unfortunately, this also means that IP addresses are shared during conversations unless the user has enabled the “Enhanced call privacy” option, which offers IP address masking. Though this provides some level of protection, it’s important to note that the calls themselves might not be end-to-end encrypted, leaving room for potential interception.
Users have the ability to adjust their settings to determine who can initiate calls, offering choices that range from only allowing followers or verified users to anyone who can contact them. While this flexibility in call permissions adds layers of complexity, it also raises questions about managing privacy in a seamless manner.
Network analysis tools have further shed light on how the call feature operates under different interaction scenarios. It has been discovered that calls are technically treated as live broadcasts within the app, introducing further considerations regarding privacy. Consequently, users are faced with the option to navigate through settings to limit call exposure or disable the feature entirely to safeguard their privacy.
As X continues to expand its offerings, privacy concerns surrounding the new calling feature highlight the importance of striking a balance between innovation and protecting users’ personal information. It remains to be seen whether X will address these concerns to ensure the trust and privacy of its users are maintained.
Analyst comment
Negative news. As an analyst, the market may react negatively to the privacy concerns raised by X’s new calling feature. This could lead to a decline in user trust and potentially impact user growth and engagement on the platform. It will be crucial for X to address these concerns and find a way to balance innovation with protecting user privacy to maintain market confidence.
