Twitter aims to protect your private conversations so it launched an encrypted version of the platform's direct messages. Of course, extra security doesn't usually come for free, and the encryption is only available to those who have Twitter Blue subscriptions.
Encrypted Direct Messages
Although the messages with the extra layer of security will be alongside other standard conversations in your DM section, they will appear as separate conversations, meaning that there will be a distinct indication of which are protected by encryption.
In order to be eligible to use the new feature, the users within the conversation need the latest version of the app on Android, iOS, and the web. Since the user needs to be verified to send an encrypted chat, they have to subscribe to Twitter Blue as well.
Like the standard Direct Message policy, the receiver of the message should be following the sender first, has sent them a message before, or has accepted a Direct Message request from the sender prior to the update, as mentioned in Twitter's blog.
Sending an encrypted message is much like sending regular direct messages. When a user is eligible for the feature, they will see a button that they can toggle to turn on encrypted mode. Encrypted conversations will have a lock icon on the profile photo.
Upon opening the conversation, there is a label just below the recipient's name stating that the message is encrypted. Two separate conversations will appear when you have regular and secured messages to the same receiver.
As of right now, the feature is only limited to single recipients, although Twitetr claims that it intends to expand to group messages as well. It is also quite limited in terms of media since it only supports messages that contain texts and links.
The user cannot view their messages on other devices as well, in the event that they log in to their Twitter account there. It will only display an error and state that the conversation cannot be accessible on that particular device. Only ten devices can be registered per user for the feature.
Read Also: Twitter Confirms Circle Leak Due to 'Security Incident'
In Case You Missed It
In other news, Twitter soon plans to remove accounts that have been inactive on the platform. Twitter CEO Elon Musk says that they are purging accounts that have had no activity at all for several years, which may lead to a drop in followers.
Musk also mentioned that the removal of inactive accounts would free up around 1.5 billion accounts, which means that a lot of usernames will become useable again. If you have been inactive, you might want to log back in and engage in the platform.
There was no mention of what would happen to accounts of deceased users, as mentioned in CNET, although it's possible that Musk will memorialize their accounts. In a way, this had already been done as the Twitter CEO verified the account of actor Chadwick Boseman.
This could also drive in more users who are afraid that their accounts would be deleted due to inactivity. The company still has not given an actual timeline for the deletion of unused accounts, so it's to simply open your account every now and then.
Related: Twitter To Purge Inactive Accounts Soon, Elon Musk Says
