In a striking move that underscores his commitment to decentralized communication, Jack Dorsey, the CEO of Twitter, has unveiled a new project over the weekend: Bitchat. This innovative messaging app operates on a decentralized, peer-to-peer basis, utilizing Bluetooth mesh networks to facilitate communication without the need for internet connectivity, central servers, or traditional identifiers like phone numbers or emails.
On Sunday, Dorsey announced the beta version of Bitchat is now live on TestFlight, accompanied by a comprehensive white paper available on GitHub. Describing the app as a personal experiment, he highlighted its use of “bluetooth mesh networks, relays and store and forward models, message encryption models, and a few other things” in his post on X.
The Mechanics of Bitchat
Bitchat allows for ephemeral and encrypted communication between devices in close proximity. As users navigate their physical environment, their smartphones create local Bluetooth clusters, enabling messages to be relayed from one device to another. This innovative approach allows communication to extend beyond standard range limitations, even in the absence of Wi-Fi or cellular service.
To further enhance connectivity, certain “bridge” devices can link overlapping clusters, effectively expanding the mesh network over greater distances. Notably, messages are stored solely on the devices themselves, disappearing by default and never interacting with centralized infrastructure. This aligns with Dorsey’s long-standing advocacy for privacy-centric and censorship-resistant communication methods.
A Vision for Decentralization
The launch of Bitchat is a continuation of Dorsey’s support for projects like Damus and Bluesky, reflecting a broader ambition to decentralize various aspects of technology, from social media to payment systems. Similar to Bluetooth-based applications that were utilized during the 2019 protests in Hong Kong, Bitchat is designed to remain operational even when internet access is restricted, providing a resilient means of communication during outages or surveillance.
Additionally, Bitchat features optional group chats, or “rooms,” which can be designated with hashtags and secured with passwords. The app also incorporates store and forward functionality, allowing messages to be delivered to users who may be temporarily offline. Future updates are expected to introduce WiFi Direct capabilities, enhancing both speed and range, and further advancing Dorsey’s vision for off-grid, user-owned communication.
In stark contrast to mainstream messaging platforms like Meta’s WhatsApp and Messenger, which are developed by large tech companies and rely heavily on personal data, Bitchat operates entirely on a peer-to-peer basis. It requires no accounts, identifiers, or data collection, positioning itself as a privacy-preserving alternative in an increasingly centralized digital landscape.
