1. Overview
NextChat connects you with people you don't already know, which means safety has to be built into the product, not bolted on. This page describes exactly what we've built, what its limits are, and what you can do yourself to stay safe. We'd rather tell you plainly what protects you and what doesn't than overstate either.
2. Age Requirement
NextChat is for users 18 and older only. This is enforced by self-declaration at signup (we ask your age and reject registration outside 18–65) — we don't run age-verification document checks. If you believe a minor is using NextChat, email support@nextchat.in and the account will be removed.
3. Encryption
Every message, encrypted at rest
All message content — in every room, public or private — is encrypted with AES-256-GCM before it's stored in our database. A breach of our database alone would not expose readable message content.
Direct messages, end-to-end encrypted
1-on-1 direct messages get an additional layer: end-to-end encryption using RSA-OAEP (2048-bit) key exchange with AES-GCM (256-bit) for the message itself. Your private key is generated and kept in your browser — we do not have access to it, and cannot decrypt your DM content even if compelled to.
Group and public rooms are not end-to-end encrypted
To be precise about the limits: messages in public and private group rooms are encrypted at rest (protected from a database breach) but are not end-to-end encrypted the way direct messages are — our servers process them to route and store them. Treat group rooms as semi-public; treat direct messages as the more private option.
Everything encrypted in transit
All connections to NextChat, including real-time messaging, use HTTPS/TLS.
4. Blocking and Reporting
You can block anyone from a direct-message conversation — blocking is enforced on our server, not just hidden in your app, so a blocked user's direct messages to you are rejected before they're ever delivered. You can report a user for spam, harassment, inappropriate content, or another reason from the same menu; reports go to a human reviewer, never automatically to the reported user. See our Community Guidelines and Content Moderation Policy for the full detail on both.
5. Guest Accounts Expire
Guest accounts (no email required — just a username) are automatically and permanently deleted 24 hours after creation, along with every message they sent and any media they uploaded. This limits how much lasting harm an anonymous, zero-commitment account can do, while still letting you try NextChat with almost no friction.
6. Bot and Abuse Prevention
- Guest signup and registration are protected by Cloudflare Turnstile, a bot-verification challenge
- Login, registration, OTP requests, room-code attempts, reports, and messaging are all separately rate-limited to slow down brute-force and spam attempts
- Repeated failed login attempts on an account trigger a temporary lockout, independent of your IP address
7. What We Can't Promise
To be direct about the limits of what's technically possible:
- We cannot prevent someone from screenshotting, recording, or saving content you send them — no messaging platform can, and we don't currently offer disappearing or one-time-view messages/images
- We don't run automated content moderation or image scanning — enforcement happens after a human reviews a report, not in real time as content is sent
- We don't verify anyone's real-world identity, age, or intentions beyond the self-declared signup information
8. Practical Tips
- Don't share your real name, address, workplace, school, or financial details with someone you just met
- Use guest access if you want to try a conversation without attaching it to a persistent identity
- If a conversation makes you uncomfortable, block first and report if it warrants it — you don't need to justify either
- Never send money, gift cards, or crypto to someone you've only spoken to on NextChat, regardless of the story
- If you ever encounter content involving a minor, do not engage — report it immediately to us and, if appropriate, law enforcement
9. Report Something Urgent
If you believe someone is in immediate danger, contact your local emergency services first. For anything else safety related on NextChat:
Email: support@nextchat.in
Contact form: nextchat.in/contact