Jack Dorsey Launches White Noise Decentralized Messaging App

Jack Dorsey, the co-founder of Twitter and CEO of Block, has recently unveiled his second decentralized messaging application, White Noise. This announcement comes shortly after the revelation of his first decentralized messaging app, Bitchat. White Noise is designed to operate independently of internet connectivity, relying instead on a network of decentralized nodes to facilitate communication. This approach not only enhances privacy but also counters internet censorship, making it a robust tool for secure messaging.

White Noise is built on Nostr, an open protocol for building decentralized social networks. It uses the MLS (Messaging Layer Security) protocol, which treats messages as authenticated events in a tree-structured key agreement (TreeKEM) instead of using separate pairwise channels. This ensures that every message is end-to-end encrypted, and in the event of a breach, a post-compromise mechanism protects conversations. Hackers can’t access past messages thanks to “forward secrecy,” and future messages remain protected by “rotating encryption keys.”

Unlike Bitchat, which relies on Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mesh networks and can operate entirely offline, White Noise uses a network of independent relays that anyone can run. This makes White Noise dependent on internet connectivity but also highly secure. Users have the freedom to choose between public and private relays operated by “trusted communities.” Tech-savvy users can self-host White Noise on private servers, with minimal costs for those who opt for private relays.

White Noise is open source, combining decentralized technologies, encryption, and peer-to-peer networking. This ensures users retain full control over their conversations. The messaging app has no single point of failure, making the network immune to shutdowns and control. If an internet service provider (ISP) captures traffic, it will see scrambled data because the MSL protocol encrypts metadata and reveals nothing about the message content. Moreover, the MSL protocol is capable of adopting advanced cryptographic algorithms, like quantum-resistant algorithms, without rebuilding the messaging application.

Users can operate White Noise on multiple devices such as a phone, tablet, or computer. This is possible due to MLS’s “leaf nodes,” which deal with each device as a distinct participant during the encryption operation. The MSL protocol is capable of handling group chats with more than 1,000 members. Through optimizing key distribution, MSL reduces computation workload on devices. Nostr, on the other hand, routes messages efficiently. White Noise is “engineered for real-time performance” and built for speed and reliability.

White Noise is currently available for testing via Apple’s TestFlight, Android’s Zapstore, and an Android APK. The messaging app is backed by OpenSats and Human Rights Foundation. OpenSats is a non-profit organization that provides support and funding to open-source projects that help accelerate Bitcoin adoption.

The launch of White Noise follows the introduction of Bitchat, another decentralized messaging app developed by Dorsey. Bitchat utilizes a peer-to-peer mesh network, allowing users to communicate even in the absence of internet connectivity. This innovative approach leverages Bluetooth mesh technology to enable offline communication, making it a unique offering in the messaging app landscape. Bitchat's offline-first design is a bold step toward decentralized communication, addressing the limitations of traditional messaging apps that require constant internet access.

The development of White Noise and Bitchat underscores Dorsey's commitment to decentralized technology and its potential to revolutionize communication. By focusing on privacy, security, and offline capabilities, these apps aim to provide users with a more reliable and secure messaging experience. The decentralized nature of these applications also aligns with the broader trend of decentralized finance and blockchain technology, which prioritize user control and data privacy.

In summary, Jack Dorsey's launch of White Noise and Bitchat represents a significant advancement in decentralized messaging technology. These apps offer users enhanced privacy, security, and the ability to communicate offline, addressing key limitations of traditional messaging platforms. As decentralized technology continues to evolve, applications like White Noise and Bitchat are poised to play a crucial role in shaping the future of digital communication.