Jack Dorsey Launches Bitchat Peer-to-Peer Messaging App

Jack Dorsey, the co-founder of Twitter and CEO of Block, has unveiled a new peer-to-peer messaging application named Bitchat. The app is designed to operate without relying on internet infrastructure, utilizing Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mesh networks for encrypted communication. This innovative approach ensures that the app remains functional even during internet blackouts or censorship.

Dorsey shared the app's whitepaper and a TestFlight link on Sunday evening, inviting users to test the application. He described his weekend project as an exploration into Bluetooth mesh networks, relays, store-and-forward models, and message encryption. Bitchat's architecture allows messages to be end-to-end encrypted and stored only in the device memory, with no data saved on a server. This eliminates the need for a phone number or email address, enhancing privacy compared to popular messaging apps like WhatsApp.

The app's decentralized nature means that each device acts as both a client and a server, forming clusters with nearby devices within a 30-meter range. When devices from different clusters come into contact, they act as bridges, allowing messages to hop from one cluster to another until they reach their intended recipient. This setup ensures that communication can continue even in areas with limited or no internet access, making Bitchat a reliable tool for situations like protests or disaster areas.

Bitchat's privacy features include the injection of dummy messages at random intervals and delays in real transmissions, making it statistically impossible to distinguish genuine messages or correlate timing with user activity. Messages are saved for 12 hours for regular peers and indefinitely for favorite peers, ensuring that even if a device is accessed, old conversations cannot be trawled through. The app also has no metadata leaks, as each node only examines a TTL counter and a message ID, with no record of who sent the message, who will receive it, or when it was sent.

Dorsey's involvement in decentralized technologies and privacy-focused solutions is well-known. He co-founded and led Block, backed decentralized social protocols like Bluesky and Nostr, and drove the development of Web5 and other decentralized applications while advocating for Bitcoin adoption. Bitchat's launch aligns with his commitment to these principles, offering users a decentralized, privacy-focused messaging solution that operates independently of internet infrastructure.

In summary, Bitchat represents a significant advancement in decentralized, privacy-focused messaging solutions. By leveraging Bluetooth mesh networks, the app enables direct communication between users without the need for an internet connection or account creation. This approach not only enhances privacy but also ensures that messages can be sent and received even in areas with limited or no internet access. As concerns about data privacy and security continue to grow, Bitchat's unique features are likely to attract users seeking alternatives to traditional messaging apps.