X (formerly Twitter) is adding the ability to place audio and video calls from within its app.

The CEO of the app formerly known as Twitter, Elon Musk, has repeatedly said he wants X to become an “everything app” that competes with platforms like YouTube, apps like FaceTime and even your bank. With the recent release of audio and video calls, as X does its best WhatsApp impression, the “X” app is taking yet another step toward that. From the messaging section of the app, users can now tap the phone icon to instantly give their X friends a ring. (X friends as in Twitter friends, not ex-friends.)

But what are the downsides? Will placing calls on Twitter place your privacy at risk?

Here’s How & Why You Should Turn Of Twitter’s Call Feature

If you use X’s app, congratulations — you’re already opted-in to the service’s new call feature! This isn’t great because when you place calls with the app, your IP address could be shared with anyone you talk to. What is an IP Address? An Internet Protocol (IP) address is a unique numerical identifier for every device or network that connects to the internet. While an IP address isn’t enough to reveal confidential information directly, it can be used by hackers for tracking, targeting ads and cyber attacks.

Calling only works in the X app, not on the social media platform’s desktop site. News outlets like TechCrunch and PC Mag recommend turning the feature off if you don’t want people you're calling to learn your IP address and, with it, potentially, your real-world location.

An IP address can be used to sleuth out general information about a person’s real-world location. For those worried about X giving up their real-world location via their IP address, the site has an option called Enhanced call privacy mode. You can enable it in the Privacy and Safety section of the Settings menu, under Direct Messages. You can also turn off the audio and video calling feature altogether.

X isn’t known for being the safest way to chat privately with someone. The service only received encryption in 2023 and X stops short at calling end-to-end encryption. What X offers as encryption is deemed weaker than what’s used by apps like Signal and or even Meta’s WhatsApp (it isn’t on by default and doesn’t allow for sending photos or videos, for example). X calling may be convenient for some, but as far as privacy is concerned, you may be better off with an app like the open-source Signal or, if you still can’t get enough of scrolling through tweets on X, using the website instead of installing the app.

Here’s How To Turn Off Twitter’s Voice Call Feature — And Why You Should

Written By: Xavier Harding

Edited By: Audrey Hingle, Kevin Zawacki, Lindsay Dearlove