Bitchat
| Bitchat | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developers | Jack Dorsey and Block, Inc. |
| Repository | github |
| Written in | |
| Operating system | |
| Standard | Bluetooth Low Energy |
| Type | Instant messaging |
| License | Unlicense (public domain) |
| Website | t |
Bitchat is a peer-to-peer encrypted messaging app developed by Jack Dorsey, co‑founder of Twitter (now X) and Block, Inc. Announced in July 2025, Bitchat enables users to send messages via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mesh networks without requiring internet connections, cellular service, user accounts, or central servers.
Overview
[edit]Bitchat is a peer-to-peer encrypted messaging application announced by Jack Dorsey in July 2025,[1][2][3] currently in beta testing via TestFlight.[2][4][1] The app operates over Bluetooth mesh networks,[1][2][4] enabling nearby devices to relay messages without requiring Internet connectivity.[5][2][3] Bitchat employs end-to-end encryption using Curve25519 key exchange and AES-GCM.[6][7] Furthermore, it features password-protected channels and a panic mode that erases all stored data upon three taps of the logo.[3] The Bluetooth technology Bitchat uses gives it an effective range of over 300 metres (980 ft). Bitchat's developers plan to incorporate Wi-Fi Direct to extend its coverage and throughput.[3][5][2] Dorsey has said the app resembles IRC messaging systems.[8]
History
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Dorsey first announced Bitchat on X (formerly Twitter) on 6 July 2025.[2][4] He published a white paper to his GitHub page detailing its decentralised architecture and encryption design.[1][9][3] Furthermore, the app entered beta testing via TestFlight, quickly reaching its 10,000‑user limit.[2][4][1] Shortly after the app's testing release on TestFlight, a security researcher found it was possible to impersonate another user and communicate with that user's contacts while appearing as them to that user. Dorsey later added to the Bitchat project page, saying it was a work-in-progress, hadn't received an external security review, and might not meet its security goals.[10]
Use cases
[edit]Bitchat is designed for resilient communication when traditional networks are unavailable or compromised, for example during natural disasters or Internet blackouts.[8][9] It also enables communication at large events such as music festivals without relying on Internet connectivity.[1][4] The app addresses censorship and surveillance concerns and reflects predecessors like FireChat and Bridgefy, which were used by pro‑democracy protesters in Hong Kong.[3][4][2]
The app saw significant use by protesters in Madagascar in September 2025, with the company reporting 70 thousand downloads within the course of one week from the country,[11] compared to around 360 thousand total worldwide downloads the company had reported by late September.[12] Similar patterns occurred in Nepal during its protests the same month, with nearly 50,000 downloads from Nepalese users on 8 September 2025 alone.[13][14]
See also
[edit]
- Bluetooth mesh networking
- Delay-tolerant networking
- Mesh networking
- Mobile ad hoc network
- Smartphone ad hoc network
- Briar (software)
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f Cuthbertson 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Sigalos 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f Weatherbed 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f Silberling 2025.
- ^ a b Bonk 2025.
- ^ Crawley, Jamie; Alpher, Stephen (8 July 2025). "Jack Dorsey Unveils Bitchat: Offline, Encrypted Messaging Inspired by Bitcoin". CoinDesk. Archived from the original on 9 July 2025. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
- ^ Johnivan, J. R. (8 July 2025). "Twitter Co-Founder Launches Bitchat, a Security-Focused, Bluetooth Messaging App". TechRepublic. Archived from the original on 9 July 2025. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
- ^ a b Young, Martin (7 July 2025). "Jack Dorsey tests Bitchat — decentralized messaging without internet". Cointelegraph. Archived from the original on 9 July 2025. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
- ^ a b Ropek 2025.
- ^ Franceschi-Bicchierai, Lorenzo (9 July 2025). "Jack Dorsey says his 'secure' new Bitchat app has not been tested for security". TechCrunch. Archived from the original on 10 July 2025. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
- ^ "« Gen Z world » : Téléchargement de Bitchat en hausse à Madagascar". Midi Madagasikara (in French). 1 October 2025. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
- ^ "Jack Dorsey's Bitchat Explodes in Madagascar as Protesters Ditch Government-Controlled Comms". Cryptonews. 29 September 2025. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
- ^ "From Discord to Bitchat, tech at the heart of Nepal protests". France 24. 12 September 2025. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
- ^ "Nepal Protesters Turn to Jack Dorsey's Peer-to-Peer Messaging App to Circumvent Social Media Ban". Cryptonews. 11 September 2025. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
Works cited
[edit]- "bitchat Technical Whitepaper". GitHub. 7 July 2025. Archived from the original on 9 July 2025. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
- Bonk, Lawrence (7 July 2025). "Jack Dorsey just released a Bluetooth messaging app that doesn't need the internet". Engadget. Archived from the original on 9 July 2025. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
- Cuthbertson, Anthony (9 July 2025). "Twitter founder launches WhatsApp rival that works offline". The Independent. Archived from the original on 9 July 2025. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
- Ropek, Lucas (8 July 2025). "Jack Dorsey's New Private Messenger App Doesn't Need an Internet Connection". Gizmodo. Archived from the original on 9 July 2025. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
- Sigalos, MacKenzie (7 July 2025). "Jack Dorsey launches a WhatsApp messaging rival built on Bluetooth". CNBC. Archived from the original on 9 July 2025. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
- Silberling, Amanda (7 July 2025). "Jack Dorsey working on Bluetooth messaging app, Bitchat". TechCrunch. Archived from the original on 9 July 2025. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
- Weatherbed, Jess (8 July 2025). "Jack Dorsey made an encrypted Bluetooth messaging app". The Verge. Archived from the original on 9 July 2025. Retrieved 9 July 2025.