Jack Dorsey unveils a new messaging app “Bitchat” that connects users through Bluetooth mesh, bypassing all traditional communication systems.
Summary
- Jack Dorsey launched Bitchat, a peer-to-peer messaging app that works without internet, servers, or user accounts, using Bluetooth mesh technology.
- Messages relay device-to-device, vanish by default, and are stored only locally, enhancing privacy and censorship resistance.
- The app supports group chats (“rooms”), password protection, and store-and-forward messaging for offline delivery.
- Beta testing quickly maxed out at 10,000 users, with future updates to include WiFi Direct and broader release planned.
Jack Dorsey’s Weekend Project: Messaging Without the Internet
Jack Dorsey, CEO of Block and co-founder of Twitter, has launched a new messaging app that throws out the playbook of conventional communication platforms. Over just one weekend, Dorsey created Bitchat, a peer-to-peer messaging tool that requires no internet, servers, or user accounts.
The app, currently in beta via Apple’s TestFlight, was announced by Dorsey on Sunday. He called the project a “personal experiment” focusing on mesh networking, encryption, and decentralized message delivery.
How Bitchat Works: Bluetooth Mesh Without Identification
Unlike traditional messaging platforms that rely on centralized servers and demand personal information, Bitchat needs no phone number, email, or user ID.
Using Bluetooth mesh technology, the app lets nearby devices form clusters that relay messages from one device to another, extending communication beyond normal Bluetooth range. According to Dorsey, bridge devices can link overlapping clusters, allowing messages to travel up to 300 meters.
Messages are stored only on users’ devices and disappear by default, a design choice meant to prioritise privacy and reduce surveillance risks. A white paper describing the app is publicly available on GitHub.
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Designed for Privacy, Resilience, and Decentralization
The concept behind Bitchat echoes Dorsey’s consistent push for privacy-focused and decentralized tech. By avoiding the use of centralized infrastructure, the app is censorship-resistant and ideal for use during internet shutdowns or in restricted communication environments.
This idea isn’t new—Bridgefy, a similar offline messaging app, gained attention during the 2019 Hong Kong protests for enabling secure, decentralized communication.
Group Chats, Passwords, and Future Upgrades
Bitchat isn’t limited to one-on-one conversations. It supports group chat features (called “rooms”), which can be named with hashtags and protected by passwords.
The app also includes a “store and forward” feature—meaning if someone is offline, their message can be delivered when they reconnect. Looking ahead, Dorsey plans to add WiFi Direct support, which will boost range and speed further.
Swift Demand and Dorsey’s Vision
Interest in Bitchat has been immediate. The beta test quickly hit its 10,000-user capacity on Apple’s TestFlight. Dorsey said the app is now under review for wider release.
This latest move aligns with Dorsey’s longstanding support for decentralized communication projects, such as Damus and Bluesky, reinforcing his broader vision to give users control over their own data and break free from traditional digital gatekeepers.
