Jack Dorsey introduces Bitchat, a new offline messaging system using encryption and Bluetooth networks.
- Bitchat uses Bluetooth to send messages without internet.
- Messages are fully encrypted and leave no user data behind.
- Inspired by the peer-to-peer model described in the Bitcoin whitepaper.
What Is Bitchat?
Jack Dorsey, the founder of Twitter and Block, has released a whitepaper for a new project called Bitchat. It’s a decentralized messaging app that works without needing the internet. Instead, it uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to send messages between nearby phones.
How It Works
When someone sends a message with Bitchat, it travels from device to device until it reaches the right person. This is called a mesh network. Each phone acts as a temporary relay, helping pass the message along even if users are offline or in areas where the internet is blocked.
Strong Privacy Features
Bitchat messages are protected with end-to-end encryption. This means only the sender and receiver can read them. Technologies like Curve25519 and AES-GCM are used to make sure the messages stay private. The app also hides user identities and doesn’t collect metadata. By default, messages are deleted after they are delivered, unless the user chooses to save them.
Inspired By Bitcoin’s Design
Although Bitchat doesn’t mention Bitcoin or blockchain directly, it reflects similar ideas. It removes the need for centralized systems, just like Bitcoin removed the need for banks in digital payments. Dorsey calls it a “decentralized, peer-to-peer messaging application,” similar to how Bitcoin is peer-to-peer electronic cash.
Why It Matters
Bitchat could help people stay connected even during internet outages or in places where online messaging is blocked. It also protects user privacy by default, which many messaging apps don’t do. Dorsey’s goal seems to be giving people more control over their communication, without middlemen or servers watching.
Source: coindesk.com
