Jack Dorsey, a well-known figure in the tech world, has launched a new messaging app. It’s called Bitchat, and it has people talking. The app promises a way to send messages even when there’s no internet connection.
Dorsey, who once led the social network now called X, designed Bitchat to work without Wi-Fi or a cell phone plan. It uses something called Bluetooth mesh networks. Think of it like this: each device acts as a small relay. Your message hops from one phone to the next, like a chain, until it reaches the person you want to talk to. This means you can send texts in places with no service or in situations where the internet is down.
Messages on Your Own Terms
This unique setup makes Bitchat very private. Messages travel securely from one person to another. They use strong encryption methods like Curve25519 and AES-GCM. This ensures only the right person can read what you send.
The app is also built to protect your identity. It doesn’t collect any details about who you are or who you’re talking to. By default, messages disappear once they’ve been delivered. You can choose to save them, but otherwise, they leave no lasting digital trace. This design aims to make communication more resistant to being tracked or censored.
A Nod to Bitcoin?
The name Bitchat itself seems to hint at Bitcoin. Dorsey also described it as a “decentralized peer-to-peer messaging application.” This language is very similar to what’s written in Bitcoin’s original white paper. That famous document calls Bitcoin a “peer-to-peer electronic cash system.”
Dorsey has always been a strong supporter of Bitcoin. He often wears Bitcoin-themed shirts. He has also given money to Bitcoin developers. When he was in charge of Twitter, he added a feature for Bitcoin tips. He also started Bluesky, a project focused on decentralized social networks using Bitcoin, though he is no longer involved with it. His digital payments company, Block, also develops products like wallets and mining chips for Bitcoin.
For now, it’s not clear if Bitchat will directly use Bitcoin technology. Some wonder if users might be able to send Bitcoin through the app. Dorsey has not announced any such plans yet.
Testing the Waters
Other apps can use Bluetooth for off-grid messages. However, they usually only work over short distances. Dorsey states Bitchat will have a wider reach, up to 300 meters, according to a report by TechCrunch.
Bitchat is currently in a testing phase. Dorsey invited people to try the app through Apple’s TestFlight program. The spots quickly filled up, reaching the maximum of 10,000 users. The app is still being checked before it can be fully released to the public.