🔐 How End-to-End Encryption Works in UTurn Direct Messages

When you send a direct (one-on-one) message on UTurn, your privacy and security come first. That’s why we use end-to-end encryption (E2EE) to protect your conversations — making sure that only you and the person you're messaging can read what’s being sent.

Here’s a breakdown of how it works and why it matters.

What Is End-to-End Encryption?

End-to-end encryption means your messages are locked on your device and can only be unlocked by the receiver’s device. Even UTurn’s servers — the systems that deliver messages — can’t read your conversations. We simply pass encrypted messages along, without ever seeing what’s inside.

Think of it like sending a sealed envelope with a lock on it. Only the person with the matching key (your chat partner) can open it. Even the mail carrier (in this case, UTurn) has no way of opening it.

The Technology Behind It (Simplified)

UTurn uses advanced encryption technologies that are trusted and widely used in secure messaging apps. Specifically, we use:

✅ The Double Ratchet Algorithm

This ensures that every message you send uses a unique encryption key. Even if someone somehow accessed a previous message (which is nearly impossible), they couldn’t use that information to unlock future messages.

✅ X3DH (Extended Triple Diffie-Hellman)

This helps you and your contact establish a secure, encrypted session — even if one of you is offline when the conversation starts. It’s how encryption keys are safely exchanged at the beginning of the chat.

Together, these two systems allow UTurn to offer strong, modern encryption that adapts as your conversation continues, keeping your chat secure even as conditions change.

What This Means for You

• 🧠 Only You and Your Contact Can Read Messages
  Not UTurn, not hackers, not anyone else.

• 🔐 Messages Are Encrypted Before They Leave Your Device
  Your message is locked before it’s sent and can only be unlocked by the recipient’s device.

• 🚫 No Backdoors
  UTurn does not store your encryption keys, and we can’t decrypt your messages — even if we wanted to.

• 🔁 Secure, Even Over Untrusted Networks
  Whether you’re on public Wi-Fi or mobile data, your messages stay protected.

Common Questions

Q: Can UTurn access my chats if needed?
A: No. We designed the system so that we don’t have the ability to read your messages. That’s what end-to-end encryption means.

Q: What if I switch devices?
A: When you sign in on a new device, a new encryption key is generated. UTurn handles this securely and will notify your contact if your encryption key changes.

Q: Are group chats also end-to-end encrypted?
A: This article covers one-on-one direct messages. For group chat encryption, see this article →

In Summary

End-to-end encryption on UTurn gives you real privacy. It’s like having a private conversation in a locked room where only you and the other person hold the keys.

We use industry-proven encryption protocols (Double Ratchet + X3DH) so you can chat with confidence, knowing your messages are yours — and yours alone.