Delhi police are currently delving into the methods employed by protesters gathered in Central Delhi, particularly in areas such as Connaught Place and Jantar Mantar. These demonstrators, who identify themselves as the Cockroaches and are associated with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), are reportedly circumventing internet restrictions and mobile network shutdowns through the use of specialized offline messaging applications. These innovative apps utilize Bluetooth technology to establish a local network, enabling users to communicate even in the absence of 4G, 5G, or Wi-Fi connectivity.
Investigating the Technology Behind Offline Communication
According to a report by the Times of India, authorities suspect that some protesters may have turned to Bluetooth-based communication tools to maintain connectivity after mobile internet services were suspended in parts of central Delhi. While the police have yet to confirm the specific use of these applications, the investigation has highlighted a relatively obscure technology that allows smartphones to exchange messages without relying on conventional mobile data or Wi-Fi networks.
How do these apps work without mobile services
In contrast to popular messaging platforms like WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram, which depend on mobile data or Wi-Fi, offline messaging apps leverage Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)—a wireless technology that is standard in nearly all modern smartphones. A variety of such applications exist, ranging from local options to more widely recognized ones.
One notable example is Bitchat, an app launched by Twitter founder Jack Dorsey in July 2025. With over one million downloads on the Google Play Store, Bitchat enables users to send messages via Bluetooth without the need for account creation, phone numbers, or central servers. Other similar offline messaging applications are also available on Android platforms.
When a user sends a message through an app like Bitchat, the message does not traverse mobile towers, Wi-Fi routers, or central servers. Instead, it is transmitted via Bluetooth to nearby devices that are running the same app. These devices then automatically relay the message to other nearby phones, effectively creating a mesh network. In this configuration, each smartphone serves as a relay, allowing messages to “hop” from one device to another until they reach their intended recipient. The larger the number of users in a given area, the more extensive the network becomes, thereby increasing the communication range. Since messages are exchanged directly between devices, these apps can function even during internet shutdowns or when cellular coverage is unavailable. However, they are most effective over short distances and in areas where a sufficient number of users are connected to the same mesh network.
Why is Delhi Police looking into these apps?
The Delhi Police plans to reach out to service providers of these applications to gather information about their users as part of their ongoing investigation. While no specific apps have been identified at this time, authorities are also scrutinizing internet protocol device records (IPDRs), analyzing CCTV footage, and employing facial recognition technology to identify protesters.
This is not the first instance where protesters have relied on offline messaging apps for communication and coordination. Similar technologies have been observed in protests worldwide, notably in Hong Kong, Ukraine, and Nepal. Additionally, these apps are frequently utilized during natural disasters when disruptions to wired or cellular networks occur.
