Jack Dorsey Launches Bluetooth-Based Decentralized Messaging Platform Bitchat
Twitter founder Jack Dorsey has unveiled Bitchat, a privacy-focused messaging platform operating exclusively over Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mesh networks. The decentralized system eliminates reliance on internet infrastructure, enabling peer-to-peer communication within a 30-meter radius.
Bitchat employs end-to-end encryption and ephemeral message storage in device memory by default. Its store-and-forward architecture maintains messages for 12 hours for regular peers, with indefinite retention possible for designated contacts. The multi-hop design extends connectivity beyond direct Bluetooth range through intermediary nodes.
The platform's WHITE paper outlines a censorship-resistant solution for scenarios involving internet blackouts or infrastructure failures. Devices automatically form temporary mesh networks using a shared service UUID, functioning as both clients and relays in the decentralized architecture.