Hitherto only available to the civil service, the LuxChat instant messaging app has now launched to the general public.
The free instant messaging service offers security and data encryption to all users, including businesses, associations, and individuals.
Previously, 8,000 of Luxembourg's 25,000 civil servants used the messaging service to communicate before it was released to the general public, said the Ministry of Digitalisation. The idea behind the app was introduced following the devastating floods which swept across the region in 2021, leading to the app's official development in 2022.
"We are not Facebook but we wanted to build something for the future," said LuxChat head Claude Demuth, as part of a presentation on "Luxembourg Internet Days" in Kirchberg. "As an 'ecosystem' supplied by several providers, we can guarantee that no data will be sold or misused. The app is secure, encrypted, and offers a national solution to communicate in greatest confidence."
Other free services, such as WhatsApp, collect data from messages and sell it on to create tailored online advertising. LuxChat keeps all data secure in the Grand Duchy and does not include adverts. The platform also complies with Luxembourg and European data protection legislation.
This service is not just useful for individuals, Demuth said. Companies can also use it to create a secure environment for their employees or customers. "Post Luxembourg is one of our partners. They're planning to replace emails with the chat system in the near future, as emails are not necessarily secure."
As with other services, private users can share written messages, documents, images and videos, limited to 50 megabytes. Registration for LuxChat is done via LuxID, a new digital identity service, developed as part of a Luxembourg partnership between Post Luxembourg, CFL, the Cactus group and RTL.
Acting Minister of Digitalisation, Marc Hansen, says the app is an opportunity to expand and strengthen Luxembourg's cybersecurity ecosystem. "It is important to invest in these sectors, to be able to monitor these services, and give the impetus to develop other services around this one."
The free application will be subsidised by the Luxembourg government, guaranteeing a lack of advertising.
RTL television report in Luxembourgish:
