Jack Dorsey, co-founder of Twitter and founder of Bluesky, has launched a new messaging app called Bitchat. The app leverages Bluetooth to facilitate secure, peer-to-peer communication, eliminating the need for the internet, servers, or phone numbers.
Developed as an alternative to traditional messaging platforms, Bitchat aims to provide fully decentralized communication using Bluetooth mesh networks. According to its GitHub page, the app allows “pure encrypted communication” without any central infrastructure or account setup, emphasizing user privacy and offline access.
Bitchat is currently in beta testing on TestFlight. The GitHub repo includes instructions for building native iOS, iPadOS, and macOS apps in Xcode, and there’s an unofficial Android build on GitHub.
Key features
Bitchat leverages Bluetooth mesh networking as its primary communications protocol, so it doesn’t require an active internet connection. A future update will add support for Wi-Fi Direct, ultimately increasing both the range and speed of the app; a date for this update has yet to be announced.
Other features include:
- Decentralization with automatic peer discovery.
- Group chat with the ability to create password-protected channels as needed.
- Cached messages that are delivered to offline users as soon as they log in.
- IRC-style commands, like /join, /msg, and /who, to make navigation as easy as possible.
- Message compression reduces bandwidth usage by up to 70%.
- Adaptive power modes include ultra-low power, power saver, balanced mode, and performance mode.
Security and privacy controls
Bitchat also includes advanced security and privacy controls that aren’t seen in many modern messaging apps. These controls include:
- Total anonymity by eliminating account registrations, email signups, and phone number verifications.
- End-to-end encryption for private messages via Curve25519 and AES-GCM algorithms, Argon2id password derivation and AES-256-GCM encryption for channel-specific messages, and Ed25519 for authenticating and digitally signing messages.
- Dummy messaging and timing obfuscation to help cover your tracks.
- Emergency data wiping by triple-tapping the device.
The combination of general functionality, security features, and privacy controls sets Bitchat apart from messaging apps like Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Snapchat, Telegram, Kik, and others.
Potential use cases
Since Bitchat doesn’t require an active internet connection, the app can be used in nearly any emergency, even if local infrastructure is failing. Soldiers can use Bitchat to communicate securely during wartime, and it also has some pertinent uses in domestic law enforcement.
The messaging app can also be used in non-emergency scenarios. It’s excellent for outdoor recreation, such as hiking and camping. And, Bitchat can be used to maintain contact with friends or family members at large concerts, festivals, and sporting events.
Combining the new with the old
Dorsey’s Bitchat does a great job of combining traditional messaging functionality with the latest tech innovations. By using IRC-style chat protocols in conjunction with features such as end-to-end encryption and decentralization, the platform caters to users who prefer pre-social media chat rooms but still want to leverage the next-generation connectivity and security controls available today.
Editor’s note: This has been updated to reflect that the GitHub repo includes instructions for building native iOS, iPadOS, and macOS apps in Xcode and to share the unofficial Android build on GitHub, which was not available when the article was first published.
