decentralized messaging Archives

AppWizard

April 7, 2026

Apple removes Jack Dorsey’s P2P messenger Bitchat from China App Store

Apple has removed Jack Dorsey's decentralized peer-to-peer messaging service, Bitchat, from its China App Store following a request from the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC). The app's beta version was also suspended in the region. Dorsey confirmed that Bitchat was removed in February, and Apple stated that all apps must comply with local laws and regulations. The CAC noted that Bitchat violated regulations requiring online services that can influence public opinion to undergo a security assessment. Bitchat remains available in other countries, with over 3 million downloads on Chrome and more than 1 million on Google Play.

AppWizard

April 6, 2026

China Blocked Jack Dorsey’s Decentralized Messenger bitchat

Chinese authorities have ordered the removal of Jack Dorsey’s decentralized messaging app, bitchat, from the local App Store due to concerns about its potential to disrupt information control during civil unrest. Apple complied by removing both the main and beta versions of the app. The app remains accessible outside of China. Dorsey stated that the removal reflects bitchat's influence on public discourse. The Chinese regulator cited violations of regulations that require online services capable of swaying public opinion to undergo security reviews before launch. Bitchat operates independently of traditional internet infrastructure using Bluetooth and mesh networking technology, making it resistant to censorship. It has gained attention in regions with internet restrictions and was introduced in July 2025. Bitchat has over 3 million downloads, with more than 92,000 in the past week and over 1 million installs on Google Play. Additionally, Block, the parent company, recently reduced its workforce by about 40%, equating to around 4,000 employees, due to AI implementation and process optimization.

AppWizard

August 9, 2025

Decentralizing Trust — An Interview with the Team Behind Session Messenger

Session is a decentralized messaging platform that prioritizes user anonymity and metadata resistance. It operates on a network of community-operated servers, eliminating central authority and personal identifiers such as phone numbers or emails for account creation. This design minimizes risks of data breaches and unauthorized tracking. Session does not collect user metadata, which distinguishes it from other messaging apps that may expose user insights through metadata. Users are assigned randomly generated cryptographic keys instead of traditional identifiers, ensuring secure messaging. Messages are routed via a protocol called Onion Requests, which strips metadata during transmission. The platform is open-source, benefiting from community contributions, and aims to enhance user privacy by employing anonymous routing. Recent developments include a migration to the Session Network for improved accessibility and security, and a move to Switzerland for better data protection. Session is introducing a Pro tier to enhance user experience while maintaining free access for all. The platform emphasizes the importance of transparency and robust design in communication tools.

AppWizard

July 30, 2025

Jack Dorsey’s Bluetooth Messaging App Bitchat Hits App Store Top 200

Jack Dorsey announced that his decentralized messaging app, Bitchat, has reached position 186 in the Business category of Apple’s App Store. Bitchat operates over Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mesh networks, allowing communication without central servers, user accounts, or phone numbers. The app focuses on ephemeral messaging and stores data only in device memory. Block Inc. is included in the S&P 500 and holds 8,584 Bitcoin valued at over a billion dollars.

AppWizard

July 18, 2025

Crypto Messaging App Ephemera Bags $20M Series B at $300M Valuation

Ephemera, a blockchain-based messaging platform, secured million in a Series B funding round, co-led by Union Square Ventures, A16z Crypto, and Lightspeed Faction, achieving a valuation of 0 million. The round included participation from Coinbase, Sound Ventures, and actor Ashton Kutcher. The funding was structured as equity with token warrants, and Fred Wilson from Union Square Ventures joined Ephemera’s board. The platform is developed by the creators of XMTP, a decentralized messaging network utilizing IETF-standard Messaging Layer Security, which is trusted by companies like Mozilla, Google, Wire, and Cisco. XMTP aims to allow users to transfer conversations between different messaging apps, addressing concerns about centralization and user ownership of messages.

AppWizard

July 9, 2025

Twitter Co-Founder Jack Dorsey’s Bitchat Aims to Kickstart the Offline Messaging Revolution

Jack Dorsey is developing Bitchat, a decentralized messaging application created over a weekend. It operates on Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mesh networks, allowing devices within a 300-meter range to exchange encrypted messages without the need for internet connectivity or phone numbers. Bitchat forms a dynamic mesh network where messages can hop through nearby devices if a direct connection is unavailable. Messages are end-to-end encrypted, stored only on the sender's and receiver's devices, and disappear after a set time. Users can create group discussions, called "rooms," with hashtags and passwords, and a "Panic Mode" feature enables quick data deletion. Bitchat includes store-and-forward messaging for offline users and has plans for a Wi-Fi Direct update. The app does not collect personal information or track user activity, making it suitable for use in regions with censorship or network issues. Its beta launch on TestFlight quickly reached 10,000 users, and it features a minimalist interface for ease of use. The open-source code is available on GitHub for developer contributions.

AppWizard

July 8, 2025

Jack Dorsey quietly dropped a game-changing chat app and it’s already full: All about it

Tech entrepreneur Jack Dorsey has launched a decentralized messaging application called Bitchat, designed to function independently of the internet and without the need for personal information. The app facilitates peer-to-peer messaging through Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mesh networks, allowing communication over distances greater than 300 meters without cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity. It is currently in beta testing via Apple’s TestFlight. A whitepaper on GitHub details its functionality, with each phone acting as both sender and receiver for multi-hop message transfers. Bitchat prioritizes user privacy by not requiring a phone number or email address. Messages are temporarily stored on devices, with an automatic caching system to ensure delivery when the recipient reconnects to the network. The app features a tiered message retention system, where standard messages are deleted after 12 hours and “favourites” are kept indefinitely. It uses end-to-end encryption with Curve25519 and AES-GCM for data protection. The app includes user mentions, topic-based rooms, and password protection for secure communications, positioning itself as an alternative to traditional centralized messaging platforms.

AppWizard

July 8, 2025

Bitchat beta launched by Jack Dorsey: Find out how the bluetooth-based app will potentially rival WhatsApp

Jack Dorsey has launched a decentralized messaging application named Bitchat, which operates exclusively over Bluetooth technology and does not require internet connections, phone numbers, or centralized servers. The app is currently in beta on TestFlight and emphasizes user privacy by encrypting communications that are ephemeral and stored only on users' devices. Bitchat allows for the creation of Bluetooth mesh networks to relay messages between devices, even extending beyond typical Bluetooth range. It features password-protected group chats and a store-and-forward option for offline messaging. Future updates will incorporate Wi-Fi Direct to improve network speed and range. Bitchat reflects Dorsey's commitment to decentralization in digital services and is designed to maintain connectivity in situations of internet outages or restrictions.

AppWizard

July 8, 2025

Bitchat Is a New Messaging App Which Works Without Phone Numbers

Jack Dorsey has introduced Bitchat, a decentralized messaging application that operates using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mesh networks for peer-to-peer messaging without traditional internet connectivity. Bitchat features end-to-end encryption for security, operates independently of the internet, and allows users to send messages over a range of more than 300 meters. Each device functions as both a client and server, enabling multi-hop message delivery. Messages are ephemeral by default, with a caching feature for recipients who are temporarily unavailable. Regular messages last 12 hours, while favorites are retained indefinitely. Bitchat does not require phone numbers or email addresses, enhancing user privacy, and includes features such as mentions and topic-based discussion rooms that can be password-protected. The app is currently in beta testing via Apple's TestFlight program.

AppWizard

July 7, 2025

Jack Dorsey just released a Bluetooth messaging app that doesn’t need the internet

Jack Dorsey has launched a decentralized messaging application called Bitchat, which operates solely over Bluetooth networks without requiring internet connectivity or central servers. The app uses advanced technologies like Bluetooth mesh networks and message encryption to enable encrypted communication between nearby devices, with each device functioning as a node. Bitchat does not depend on Wi-Fi or cellular service, storing messages only on the user's device and ensuring they disappear by default. It supports group chats organized with hashtags and secured with passwords, and can forward messages to temporarily offline users. Future updates will include Wi-Fi Direct to improve network speed and capacity. Bitchat is currently in beta through TestFlight, but access is limited due to capacity constraints.