Jack Dorsey Unveils Encrypted Bluetooth Chat with Decentralized Messaging App Bitchat

CEO Block Jack Dorsey has unveiled the beta version of a decentralized messaging app named Bitchat. This application enables communication via Bluetooth without needing an internet connection.

Dorsey likened the messaging tool to IRC chats that were popular in the late 1990s.

According to the white paper, Bitchat operates as a fully decentralized network, entirely devoid of central servers. There’s no requirement for accounts, email addresses, or phone numbers for registration. Messages are stored exclusively on the device’s memory and are never sent to a central database. End-to-end encryption provides an additional layer of security.

Each device within the Bitchat network functions both as a client and a relay. Messages are able to “hop” between devices to reach distant users. The Bluetooth range is about 30 meters, and distinct clusters of the network interconnect through bridge nodes. Larger messages are broken down into segments of 500 bytes each.

This messaging app is well-suited for use at conferences and in disaster zones—circumstances where internet access may be restricted or unreliable. Looking ahead, developers plan to introduce Wi-Fi support for transferring larger files.

It’s worth noting that in June, Elon Musk announced the launch of a messaging platform called XChat, featuring encryption, disappearing messages, and file sharing capabilities. The application has since faced criticism.