Social Networking for Humans

Help Topics

🔐 How Are Connect Chats Encrypted?

Connect is a feature on UTurn designed to help you meet people who are nearby and ready to connect for a walk, a coffee, or just a conversation. To keep things simple and smooth, we’ve created a lightweight chat system built specifically for this spontaneous kind of interaction.

This article explains how Connect chats are secured, and how they differ from UTurn’s main messaging.

🧭 What Are Connect Chats?

When you tap on someone in the Connect grid and send them a message, you're using a separate chat system from your usual UTurn conversations. These chats are intended to help arrange a quick meeting—not to share private or sensitive information.

They’re built for ease, speed, and safety—especially between users who may not know each other yet.

🔐 Are Connect Chats Encrypted?

Yes, Connect chats are encrypted in transit using industry-standard encryption protocols (such as TLS). This means that your messages are securely protected while they travel between your device and UTurn’s servers, and on to the other person.

However, they are not end-to-end encrypted.

Here’s what that means:

  • End-to-end encryption (E2EE) ensures that only you and the person you're talking to can read the messages—even UTurn can't see them.

  • Connect chats, by contrast, are not E2EE, because they’re meant for public or semi-public communication between people who haven't met before.

Still, we want to be clear: UTurn does not store, read, or analyze these messages in any way. They are not logged, scanned, or used for ads or profiling.

đŸ›Ąïž Why Not Use End-to-End Encryption for Connect?

Connect chats are intentionally different from your private, one-on-one UTurn conversations. They're:

  • Meant to start light, fast interactions.

  • Not designed for sharing personal or sensitive details.

  • Built to work in a more open and temporary environment.

This approach also helps UTurn keep the platform safe from misuse, while still protecting user privacy where it matters most.

If you want to have a deeper or more private conversation after meeting someone, you can always move to UTurn’s main chat, which is fully end-to-end encrypted.

👉 Learn more about end-to-end encryption in UTurn chats

🔒 Your Privacy Is Still a Priority

Even though Connect chats are not end-to-end encrypted:

  • They’re encrypted in transit, so no one can snoop on them as they’re delivered.

  • They’re not stored or logged by UTurn.

  • Your main UTurn identity is not linked to your Connect profile.

  • You can block any user at any time and stop receiving messages from them.

💬 Keep It Casual, Keep It Safe

Connect chats are made for light, spontaneous communication. Just like when you meet someone at a park or a café, we recommend:

  • Keeping the conversation casual until you feel comfortable.

  • Avoiding sharing private or identifying information.

  • Using your judgment—just like in any new social interaction.

đŸ“± Ready to Start Connecting?

Connect is a powerful way to meet people near you, and we’re committed to helping you do it safely and confidently. We believe that openness and transparency are key—and we’ll keep improving as we learn from how you use the feature.