Jack Dorsey Launches BitChat Peer-to-Peer Messaging App

Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey has introduced BitChat, a peer-to-peer messaging application that operates without the need for an internet connection, servers, or SIM cards. This innovative tool enables users to communicate through a decentralized Bluetooth mesh network, emphasizing privacy and security. BitChat allows for encrypted chats over Bluetooth, with messages relayed through up to seven nearby devices, ensuring that communication remains offline and secure.

BitChat is designed to support iOS and macOS platforms, utilizing advanced encryption methods such as AES-256, X25519 key exchange, and Ed25519 digital signatures. The app does not require phone numbers or user accounts, instead relying on session-based keys for anonymity. This makes it an ideal tool for environments with limited or censored connectivity, as devices communicate anonymously without persistent identifiers.

The app includes features such as emergency data wipes, dummy message generation, and adaptive power modes based on battery levels. Bluetooth traffic is protected by obfuscation techniques to prevent network surveillance, and users can manage chats with simple commands, including joining rooms, listing online peers, and transferring chat ownership. BitChat's open-source model invites contributions from the community, with Android compatibility expected via shared protocols.

Dorsey described BitChat as a weekend experiment to explore mesh networking and encrypted protocols, aiming to build a fully offline, secure communications tool that mimics IRC-style chat rooms. The project has already sparked interest among privacy advocates and open-source developers, who see its potential in crisis zones or offline scenarios. The app's IRC-style interface and no-internet design are attracting veteran developers and encryption-focused users, positioning BitChat as a lightweight, resilient platform for encrypted peer messaging in real-world conditions.

BitChat operates on a store-and-forward model using Bluetooth LE, enabling messages to relay across multiple nearby devices. The app supports automatic peer discovery and can send messages over a maximum of seven hops. This decentralized approach ensures that communication remains secure and private, even in the absence of traditional internet infrastructure. The project is publicly licensed and welcomes community engagement, inviting developers to contribute to its ongoing development and improvement.

As global interest in secure messaging grows, tools like BitChat may offer alternatives where traditional apps fall short. By removing internet dependence, BitChat positions itself as a resilient platform for encrypted peer messaging, providing a new approach to digital communication that emphasizes autonomy, privacy, and simplicity. The app's release has generated buzz among tech communities focused on privacy and decentralized systems, highlighting its potential in various real-world applications.