Key takeaways
- Message any C Chat user directly: by @username, phone contacts or team members.
- No message requests: the conversation opens straight away.
- Direct messages are private and not included in team group audits.
- Block and report are available in every conversation.
- Phone contact matching hashes numbers with SHA-256 on your device.
Not everything at work belongs in a group. A schedule swap between two colleagues, a quick question to a supervisor, a sensitive conversation about a problem with a coworker: those need a one-to-one channel. In C Chat that channel is the direct message, and its privacy rules are intentionally different from groups.
What direct messages do in C Chat
A direct message (DM) is a private conversation between two C Chat users. You can start one with anyone on C Chat, not just people in your team, and the other person sees your message immediately; there are no message requests to accept.
There are three ways to find someone:
- @username — search their handle. See @usernames for how handles work.
- Phone contacts — C Chat checks which of your contacts use it. Numbers are hashed with SHA-256 on your device and the server doesn’t store those hashes; details in private phone contact matching.
- Team members — pick anyone from a team you share.
Inside a DM you have the same tools as in groups: replies, reactions, edits, photos, files, voice notes and location.
How to use direct messages step by step
- Open C Chat at getcchat.com/c and start a new conversation.
- Choose how to find the person: @username, contacts or a team’s member list.
- Write your message and send; it arrives without a request step.
- Use replies and reactions to keep the conversation easy to follow.
- If a conversation becomes abusive, block the person and report the message.
Real scenarios from business teams
Shift swaps. Two employees agree on a swap by DM, then the supervisor confirms it in the team group where everyone can see it. Private negotiation, public decision.
Confidential conversations. An employee raises a concern with HR without the whole department reading it. Our page on private one-to-one conversations at work covers good practice for these.
People outside your team. A contractor or a supplier on C Chat can be reached by @username without adding them to a team group.
Leaving personal WhatsApp. Teams that move work off personal WhatsApp groups often keep using DMs the way they used to, but now on a platform the company chose. For a side-by-side view, read C Chat vs WhatsApp for business teams.
Privacy, permissions and limits
C Chat uses auditable encryption, and DMs are where the “private” part applies:
| Conversation type | Who can audit or export |
|---|---|
| Team group | Team owners and admins |
| Direct message between people | Nobody on the team; it stays private |
| CGuard Pro security chats (guards and office) | The security company |
All messages are protected with TLS in transit and AES-256 at rest with per-organization keys. The platform accesses content only for moderation of reported messages or legal requirements, and that access is logged. The full explanation is in why direct messages stay private and who can read my messages.
Two practical points:
- The other person has your messages. Privacy from admins doesn’t stop the recipient from taking a screenshot.
- Work decisions belong in groups. If the company needs a record of something, put it where the company can see it.
Tips for admins
- Explain the rules on day one: groups can be audited, DMs are private. People use both more sensibly when they know.
- Move decisions to groups. Ask staff to confirm agreements made by DM in the relevant group.
- Encourage @usernames for staff who deal with clients and don’t want to share their number.
- Point people to block and report if they receive unwanted messages.
If your team uses personal phones for work, see work messaging on personal phones and our business messaging security guide.
Getting started
Sign up at getcchat.com/c, set your @username and send your first direct message. C Chat is free for now; the pricing page lists the current limits.
Frequently asked questions
Can my boss read my direct messages in C Chat?
No. Team owners and admins can audit and export the team's group conversations, but direct messages between people are private and not part of that audit. One exception: security companies using CGuard Pro can audit security-related chats between guards and the office.
Do I need to accept a request before someone can message me?
No. C Chat has no message requests, so any user can start a direct message with you. If someone misuses that, you can block them and report the conversation.
How do I find someone to message?
Search for their @username, find them among your phone contacts that use C Chat, or pick them from the members of a team you share.
Can the C Chat platform read my direct messages?
The platform accesses content only to moderate reported messages or when legally required, and that access is logged. Messages are encrypted in transit with TLS and at rest with AES-256.
What happens when I block someone?
Blocking stops that person from contacting you through C Chat. You can also report a message so it can be reviewed for moderation.