Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey has launched Bitchat, a new messaging app that operates over Bluetooth networks.
Bitchat, a potential rival to WhatsApp or Signal, offers encrypted communication without requiring access to the internet or mobile networks. It is available in beta, with a full release date yet to be announced.
“Bitchat addresses the need for resilient, private communication that doesn't depend on centralised infrastructure,” said Dorsey in a white paper describing the app.
“By leveraging Bluetooth Low Energy mesh networking, Bitchat enables direct peer-to-peer messaging within physical proximity, with automatic message relay extending the effective range beyond direct Bluetooth connections.”
According to Dorsey, Bitchat messages can be sent between nearby devices. These devices can also form local Bluetooth clusters to pass messages forward, connecting users up to 300 metres apart.
Later updates will add Wi-Fi Direct, which can bridge two devices without an intermediary internet connection, as another option to send messages.
The app does not require any servers or infrastructure. Users do not need to provide a phone number or email.
The most widely available Bluetooth messaging app, Bridgefy, was commonly used by protesters in regions like Hong Kong and Belarus in 2019 and 2020, though researchers later found that it was vulnerable to hacking.
Dorsey previously co-founded Twitter, as well as founding financial technology company Block and social media network Bluesky.
Related content
