Jack Dorsey Unveils ‘Bitchat’: A Revolutionary Bluetooth-Based Messaging App
Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey has introduced Bitchat, an innovative peer-to-peer messaging app that functions entirely over Bluetooth mesh networks, eliminating the need for internet connectivity. Dorsey, who described the app as a “weekend project,” has designed it to provide encrypted, ephemeral communication that stores messages solely on-device, bypassing centralized servers.
Bitchat is built to resist censorship and continues to function even when internet access is blocked. This feature makes it akin to apps utilized during the 2019 protests in Hong Kong. The beta version was launched on TestFlight with 10,000 slots, which were promptly filled.
- Users have the option to create group chats or “rooms” with hashtag names and password protection.
- The app also includes a store-and-forward functionality for offline message delivery.
Dorsey made the announcement about the app on X (formerly Twitter) on a Sunday, describing it as an experiment in “bluetooth mesh networks, relays and store and forward models, message encryption models.”
Future updates are set to add WiFi Direct support for enhanced speed and range, further promoting Dorsey’s vision for decentralized, user-owned communication.
Source: CNBC