Frequently Asked Questions
Getting Started
How do I start a conversation?
Simply click the "Create Room" button on the home page. You'll receive a unique 4-character room code that you can share with one other person. No registration or personal information required!
How do I join someone else's room?
Click "Join Room" on the home page and enter the 4-character room code that was shared with you. Once you join, the room will be locked to just you and the host.
Do I need to create an account?
No! ChittyChattyChat is completely anonymous. No registration, no email, no phone number required. Just create a room and start chatting.
Privacy & Security
How secure are my conversations?
Very secure! All messages are encrypted using AES-256-GCM encryption (the same standard used by governments and militaries). Your messages are encrypted on your device before being sent, and we cannot decrypt them.
Are my conversations really anonymous?
Yes. We don't require any personal information, and you can choose any display name you like. We do collect your IP address for security and abuse prevention, but it's not linked to message content.
Can anyone read my messages?
No. Your messages are end-to-end encrypted, meaning only you and your chat partner can read them. Even our servers cannot decrypt your conversations.
How long are my messages stored?
All chat rooms and messages automatically expire after 24 hours. After that, everything is permanently deleted from our servers. You can also manually destroy a room at any time.
What happens to my messages after 24 hours?
They are permanently deleted. We don't maintain backups or archives. Once the 24-hour window expires, your conversation is gone forever.
Room Features
Can more than 2 people join a room?
No. Chat rooms are strictly limited to 2 participants for privacy and security. Once two people have joined, the room is locked and no one else can enter.
Can I extend the 24-hour time limit?
No. The 24-hour expiration is a core security feature and cannot be extended. If you need to continue chatting, simply create a new room.
What happens if I refresh the page?
You'll automatically reconnect to your chat room as long as you're using the same device and browser. Your session is preserved using secure browser storage.
Can I access my room from a different device?
No. Rooms are locked to the specific devices that first joined them. This prevents unauthorized access even if someone obtains your room code. You must use the same device throughout the session.
What if I accidentally close my browser?
If you close your browser, your session may be lost depending on your browser settings. Always keep your browser window open or bookmarked until your conversation is complete.
Can I manually delete a room before 24 hours?
Yes! The host can destroy the room at any time using the "Destroy Room" button. This immediately deletes all messages and closes the room for both participants.
File Sharing
Can I share files?
Yes! You can share images and files with your chat partner. Simply click the file attachment button and select a file to share.
What's the file size limit?
The maximum file size is 50MB per file. This ensures fast uploads and downloads for all users.
Are shared files encrypted?
Yes. Files are uploaded securely and encrypted just like your messages. They're also automatically deleted when the room expires.
What file types can I share?
You can share most common file types including images, documents, PDFs, and more. Files containing malware or illegal content are prohibited.
Troubleshooting
The room code doesn't work. What do I do?
Double-check that you entered the code correctly (it's case-sensitive). If the room has already reached 2 participants or has expired, you won't be able to join. The host should create a new room.
I can't see messages or they're delayed. Why?
Check your internet connection. If you're on a slow or unstable connection, messages may be delayed. Try refreshing the page or reconnecting.
Why does it say "Connection Lost"?
This usually means your internet connection dropped or the server is temporarily unavailable. The page will automatically try to reconnect. If problems persist, try refreshing your browser.
My display name shows as "Connecting..." - what's wrong?
This is a temporary status while establishing the connection. Once connected, you'll be prompted to set your display name. If it persists, try refreshing the page.
Images won't load or upload. What should I do?
Make sure your file is under 50MB and in a supported format. Check your internet connection and try again. If problems persist, the server may be experiencing high load.
The site doesn't work on my browser. Why?
ChittyChattyChat requires a modern browser with JavaScript enabled and support for encryption APIs. We recommend using the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge.
Technical Questions
What encryption do you use?
We use AES-256-GCM (Galois/Counter Mode) encryption, which provides both confidentiality and authenticity. This is the same encryption standard used by the U.S. government for classified information.
Is the source code available?
We're committed to transparency. Security researchers can request access to review our security implementation.
Do you use cookies or tracking?
We use minimal cookies and local storage only for essential functionality (maintaining your session and room access). We don't use tracking cookies or analytics that identify you personally.
What data do you collect?
We collect minimal data: device fingerprint (for room access control), IP address (for security), and connection metadata. We do NOT collect names, emails, or personal information. See our Privacy Policy for complete details.
Can law enforcement access my messages?
Since messages are end-to-end encrypted and automatically deleted after 24 hours, there's very little data to provide. We comply with valid legal requests, but we cannot decrypt messages or recover deleted conversations.
Safety & Guidelines
What content is not allowed?
Prohibited content includes: illegal material, child exploitation, harassment, spam, malware, and content that violates others' rights. See our Terms of Service for complete guidelines.
How do I report abuse?
If you encounter illegal or harmful content, please report it through our support channels. Include the room code and details if possible.
Can I be banned?
Yes. Users who violate our Terms of Service or engage in illegal activities may be banned from the service and reported to authorities.
Is this service monitored?
We do not routinely monitor conversations (they're encrypted anyway). However, we reserve the right to investigate reports of abuse and cooperate with law enforcement when legally required.
Billing & Advertising
Is ChittyChattyChat free?
Yes! Our service is completely free to use. We're supported by advertising to keep the lights on.
Will there be a paid version?
We may offer premium features in the future, but the core anonymous chat service will always remain free.
Why do I see ads?
Ads help us cover server costs and keep the service free. We use Google AdSense to display relevant advertisements.
Still Have Questions?
If your question wasn't answered here, please:
- Review our Privacy Policy
- Read our Terms of Service
- Learn more on our About page
- Contact us through our support channels