Jack Dorsey, the co-founder of Twitter, has released a new messaging app called Bitchat. The app uses Bluetooth mesh networks to send messages between devices. This means that it does not need the internet to work.
Bitchat is currently in its beta phase. It allows users to send encrypted messages to other devices that are nearby. Each device acts as a node that helps to expand the network.
Dorsey says that the app is an experiment in several advanced technologies. These include “Bluetooth mesh networks, relays and store and forward models, and message encryption models.”
Since the app does not use centralized servers, it can work without Wi-Fi or cellular service. This makes it useful in situations where internet access is limited or not available.
Messages are only stored on the device and disappear by default. They never connect to any centralized infrastructure. Bitchat also has group chats that can be named with hashtags and protected with passwords.
It can forward messages to users who are temporarily offline. Future updates are expected to include support for Wi-Fi Direct. This will make the network faster and able to handle more data.
Dorsey has long been a supporter of decentralized communication platforms.
Bluetooth mesh network messaging
He previously worked on Bluesky, an open-source framework that focuses on user control.
While Bitchat is available in beta via TestFlight, it has already reached its limit for testers. The app’s design makes it useful for scenarios where internet access is unreliable. This could be at crowded events or during emergencies.
While typical Bluetooth messaging apps have a range of about 100 meters, Dorsey claims that Bitchat can relay messages through peers to cover distances up to 300 meters, or 984 feet. This app could be particularly impactful in situations like protests or events where authorities might restrict internet access. Another Bluetooth messaging app, Bridgefy, was notably used during the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.
It was used for its ability to function without internet, making it harder for authorities to detect communications. Interestingly, Bridgefy is funded in part by another Twitter co-founder, Biz Stone. Dorsey’s new venture aligns with his long-standing interest in decentralizing technology.
He is a well-known advocate for Bitcoin and had initiated the project that evolved into the decentralized social media platform Bluesky while he was still CEO of Twitter. However, Dorsey is no longer affiliated with Bluesky. Comments on the app have been positive, signaling a strong interest in alternative communication methods that offer privacy and resilience against traditional internet dependency.
The app’s fine print states that Bitchat does not collect any personal data or contain user-tracking elements. Currently, the app’s beta on the app-testing service is full, with 10,000 people participating. Dorsey mentioned that the app is under review for a broader release.
Similar encrypted messaging apps like FireChat and Bridgefy have been used during pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong in 2014 and 2022, respectively.
Kirstie a technology news reporter at DevX. She reports on emerging technologies and startups waiting to skyrocket.
