Jack Dorsey has launched a messaging app called Bitchat, which works without internet or accounts, using Bluetooth mesh networks and advanced encryption to ensure privacy, autonomy, and resistance to digital censorship.
The co-founder of Twitter (now X) and current CEO of Block Inc., has presented Bitchat, a decentralized messaging platform based on technology Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and mesh networks, with a clear focus on privacy and censorship resistance.
The proposal, according to explained Dorsey himself, was born from a personal project he started over a weekend, motivated by his technical interest in store-and-forward models, extreme encryption, and decentralized networks. However, since its inception, Bitchat has captured the attention of more than 10.000 users in beta phase, who actively test it through TestFlight.
EXPLORE THE POTENTIAL OF CRYPTOSMessaging without connection or intermediaries
Bitchat radically departs from current instant messaging standards. It doesn't require an internet connection, cellular networks, or Wi-Fi.
Dorsey shared a technical document In this article, he explains that devices communicate directly with each other using BLE technology in mesh networks, where each phone acts as a node that receives and retransmits messages. This model, inspired by technologies used in censorship contexts such as the Hong Kong protests in 2019, allows the typical connection range (300 meters or more) to be extended by adding multiple interconnected devices.
Infrastructure independence offers immediate practical advantages: Bitchat can operate in scenarios such as natural emergencies, demonstrations, mass events, or technologically limited regions. It also eliminates the need for central servers to record, store, or filter conversation content.
“Each phone acts as both a transmitter and a relay, creating a network that extends far beyond the individual Bluetooth range. Messages bounce from one phone to another until they reach their destination.”, commented Jack Dorsey.
Total privacy: no accounts, no tracking
One of the pillars of Bitchat's design is the privacyIt doesn't require the creation of accounts, phone numbers, or persistent identifiers. Therefore, it provides operational anonymity that prevents the creation of user profiles and hinders digital surveillance.
Messages are protected by end-to-end encryption Using high-security standards such as Curve25519 for key exchange and AES-GCM for encryption. Since messages are ephemeral, they are deleted after delivery unless users explicitly choose to save them. Obfuscation techniques have also been incorporated to camouflage metadata and prevent third-party detection of communication patterns.
Additionally, the app allows the creation of group chat rooms password-protected and feature “store-and-forward” functionality, making it easy for messages to reach their destination even if the recipient is temporarily offline.
BUY BITCOIN ON BIT2METechnical inspiration with IRC vibes
Although its architecture is profoundly innovative, Dorsey notes that Bitchat retains “IRC vibes,” referring to the classic real-time messaging style of Internet Relay Chat. In that sense, the application prioritizes direct, group, and decentralized conversation, with a lightweight and functional interface that facilitates rapid message exchange.
The technical development has also served as a testing ground for exploring communication models based on relays, distributed encryption, and resilient networks. According to Dorsey, the project was born out of a personal curiosity to better understand these technologies and apply them to everyday environments without relying on large technological infrastructures.
Creating an ecosystem beyond messaging
Still, while Bitchat currently operates as an experimental app, it's aligned with Dorsey's broader vision for decentralized systems. Block Inc., the company he founded after leaving Twitter, is also working on integrating Bitcoin payments into the Square platform, with implementation planned for 2026 via the Lightning Network. This move aims to consolidate an ecosystem where communication and finance can operate without intermediaries.
Dorsey has maintained a firm stance on the need to build tools that are resistant to censorship and corporate control.
In a context where social media platforms face growing criticism over content moderation, user tracking, and algorithm manipulation, initiatives like Bitchat pave the way for digital autonomy.
Certificate
Basic Bitcoin Course
Basic levelStart from scratch in Bitcoin in a clear, easy, safe and quick way. This course is specially designed for beginners practically know nothing about Bitcoin.
