Jack Dorsey launches a personal messaging app that operates independently of internet connectivity.
Jack Dorsey, the founder of Twitter (now called X), has launched a new venture into the world of messaging apps with Bitchat. This experimental, decentralized application is designed to operate without the need for internet connectivity, instead relying on Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mesh networks and end-to-end encryption to deliver private communications.
## Current Status
Bitchat was officially detailed by Jack Dorsey in early July 2025 and is available for beta testing via Apple’s TestFlight, though the beta is currently at its maximum capacity of 10,000 testers. The app is fully open source, with its code available on GitHub under a public domain license. Despite promises of robust security and privacy, Dorsey has explicitly stated that Bitchat has not undergone any external security review and may contain vulnerabilities. He advises against using it for sensitive or production purposes until a thorough security audit is completed. The app is still a “work in progress,” with ongoing development and community feedback being actively solicited.
## Key Features
One of the standout features of Bitchat is its use of Bluetooth mesh networking. This technology allows the app to form device clusters, enabling messages to hop between clusters even when devices are not directly within range of each other. The decentralized and serverless nature of Bitchat enhances privacy and resilience against censorship or internet blackouts.
Private messages and channels use X25519 key exchange and AES-256-GCM encryption to ensure message confidentiality. Users are not required to provide a phone number or email address to use the app, further protecting their anonymity. Bitchat supports both private messaging and channel-based (topic-based) group chats, similar in style to IRC. A public local chat feature is also included, though it is not intended for sensitive use and has no specific security concerns.
By leveraging mesh networking, Bitchat can theoretically relay messages over distances up to 300 meters using intermediary devices as relays. This automatic message relay extends the effective range beyond direct Bluetooth connections.
## Implications and Comparisons
Bitchat's design and functionality bear a resemblance to Bluesky, a decentralized-ish microblogging alternative to Twitter, which Dorsey helped launch. The app's reliance on mesh networks and Bluetooth technology also resembles Amazon's Sidewalk project, which was advised against using in 2020.
Some question whether Bluesky is as decentralized as other Fediverse sites, and the technical soundness of Bitchat's claims is still unclear. However, Bitchat offers an opportunity for Dorsey and like-minded individuals to explore new directions in technology, providing resilient, private communication that does not depend on centralized infrastructure.
In a world where privacy and security are increasingly important, Bitchat presents an intriguing alternative to traditional messaging apps. As the beta testing continues and the app undergoes further development, it will be interesting to see how it evolves and whether it can deliver on its promises of privacy, security, and resilience.
- The technology and design of Bitchat, a new messaging app by Jack Dorsey, highly resembles the decentralized-ish microblogging alternative to Twitter, Bluesky, which Dorsey also has a hand in.
- Amidst growing concerns about privacy and security, Bitchat, with its focus on mesh networks and Bluetooth technology, poses an intriguing challenge to traditional messaging apps, offering a potentially more resilient and private communication solution.
- In the realm of tech gadgets and futuristic technology, the experimental nature of Bitchat, with its artificial-intelligence-free design and reliance on mesh networks and Bluetooth Low Energy, showcases a different approach in the world of technology and gadgets, echoing the ethos of tech enthusiasts at Gizmodo.
