Jack Dorsey just released a decentralized, peer-to-peer messaging app that functions entirely over Bluetooth networks, as reported by CNBC. It’s called Bitchat and doesn’t need the internet to work, as there are no central servers.
The Twitter co-founder calls it an experiment in “Bluetooth mesh networks, relays and store and forward models, message encryption models and a few other things.” It works by enabling encrypted communication between nearby gadgets. Basically, it sends messages directly from one device to another, but each device is also a node that widens the network a little bit.
Due to the tech at play here, Bitchat also doesn’t require Wi-Fi or cellular service. It’s designed to keep working even when the internet is actively being blocked. Messages are stored only on the device and they disappear by default without ever connecting to centralized infrastructure. This kind of technology was used during Hong Kong’s 2019 protests to keep communication lines open, though similar apps have been floating around for years.
The app allows for group chats that can be named with hashtags and protected with passwords. It can also forward messages to users who are temporarily offline. A future version of the app will support Wi-Fi Direct to increase the speed and size of the network.
Dorsey has long been a proponent of decentralized communication platforms, as Bluesky was built with an open-source framework that emphasizes user control. Bitchat is available as a beta right now via TestFlight, though it’s currently filled up.
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