X is rolling out its new messaging app. XChat arrives April 17 on iPhone and iPad, pitching itself as a private conversation space without ads or tracking. There’s a catch, though.

What XChat actually offers

The app presents itself as a dedicated messaging space, separate from the main social network. End-to-end encryption covers all messages, voice and video calls, file sharing, large groups, and auto-deleting messages. Screenshot blocking is included, along with the ability to edit or delete sent content.

What Apple’s privacy label actually says

All of this is meant to attract privacy-conscious users to XChat. The irony is that Apple’s App Store privacy label tells a completely different story. According to Apple’s mandatory disclosures, the app could collect and link to your identity sensitive information including location data, contact details, your address book, generated content, and search history.

The contradiction is stark. Marketing talks zero tracking. The privacy label admits to collecting personal data. X Corp hasn’t publicly explained the mismatch.

The X ecosystem lock-in

Unlike most messaging apps, XChat doesn’t stand alone. You need an X account to use it. That means you have to be a user on a social platform before you can chat privately, complete with all the profiling and tracking that entails on the main account. No Android release date has been announced yet.

The launch is happening tomorrow. We’ll have to see how the app actually behaves and whether users will trust an ecosystem known for controversial positions.