Jack Dorsey’s new messaging app works without internet. What is Bitchat?

Jack Dorsey has taken a bold step into the realm of communication with the introduction of Bitchat, a groundbreaking messaging app designed to function without the internet. This innovative application, crafted by the co-founder of Twitter and current CEO of Block, utilizes Bluetooth technology to facilitate direct messaging between users, ensuring connectivity even in the absence of traditional internet access.

What is the Bitchat messaging app?

On Sunday, Dorsey unveiled the beta version of Bitchat, now accessible via TestFlight, accompanied by a comprehensive white paper available on GitHub. Bitchat operates as a peer-to-peer messaging platform, leveraging Bluetooth mesh networks to eliminate the need for internet connectivity, central servers, phone numbers, or email addresses, as reported by CNBC.

In a post shared on X, Dorsey described Bitchat as a personal experiment aimed at exploring various technologies, including “Bluetooth mesh networks, relays and store and forward models, message encryption models, and a few other things.” The app enables nearby devices to exchange encrypted messages seamlessly.

As users navigate their surroundings, their devices form localized Bluetooth groups, allowing messages to be relayed even beyond typical range limitations. This functionality is particularly advantageous in scenarios where Wi-Fi or mobile networks are unavailable. Dorsey notes that messages can travel up to 300 meters (approximately 984 feet) by bouncing through other users, with certain devices capable of linking separate groups to extend message reach.

Soon after Dorsey shared the TestFlight link for Bitchat, all 10,000 beta spots were taken. Reuters/File Photo

Importantly, messages are stored solely on users’ devices, vanish by default, and never traverse central servers, aligning with Dorsey’s commitment to privacy and resistance to censorship. The launch of Bitchat complements his ongoing projects, such as Damus and Bluesky, which aim to decentralize social media and digital payment systems.

Similar to Bluetooth applications utilized during the 2019 protests in Hong Kong, Bitchat is engineered to function effectively during internet shutdowns or surveillance, providing a vital communication channel. The app also features group chats, referred to as “rooms,” which can be named using hashtags and secured with passwords. Additionally, it includes a function that saves messages for later delivery if a recipient is offline.

Future updates are set to introduce WiFi Direct capabilities, enhancing both speed and distance, furthering Dorsey’s vision of creating private, user-controlled tools independent of major tech corporations. In contrast to platforms like WhatsApp or Messenger, which are governed by large entities and rely on personal data, Bitchat is entirely peer-to-peer, requiring no accounts, identifiers, or data collection.

When will it be released?

Following Dorsey’s announcement of the TestFlight link for Bitchat, all 10,000 beta spots were quickly filled. Alongside the beta version, he provided links to the project’s GitHub page and what he humorously termed “an ugly whitepaper describing protocol.” This whitepaper outlines the app as “a decentralized, peer-to-peer messaging application that operates over Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mesh networks. It provides ephemeral, encrypted communication without relying on internet infrastructure, making it resilient to network outages and censorship.”

By eliminating servers from the equation, Dorsey aspires to offer users a more private messaging experience, potentially inspiring larger platforms to adopt similar decentralized tools. He mentioned on X that the app is currently under review in anticipation of its official release. Whether Bitchat will capture widespread attention or remain a niche tool for tech enthusiasts remains to be seen.

For context, Dorsey is also the CEO of Block, a financial technology company he co-founded, which encompasses services like Cash App and Square, providing mobile payment solutions and point-of-sale hardware and software for businesses.

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Jack Dorsey’s new messaging app works without internet. What is Bitchat?