Jack Dorsey Working on Bluetooth Messaging App, Bitchat

Jack Dorsey, the visionary co-founder of Twitter and current CEO of Block, has recently unveiled his latest venture: an innovative Bluetooth mesh messaging application named Bitchat. This announcement, made by Dorsey himself on X, signifies a significant step towards decentralized communication, an area he has championed extensively.

Bitchat is designed to facilitate seamless communication in environments where traditional internet or cellular services are unavailable. Operating exclusively through Bluetooth mesh networks, the app allows users to send and receive messages without the need for Wi-Fi or mobile data. While typical Bluetooth ranges are limited to approximately 100 meters, Dorsey claims Bitchat extends this reach significantly, leveraging peer-to-peer relaying to cover distances up to 300 meters (or 984 feet). This extended range makes Bitchat particularly suitable for scenarios such as large-scale events like music festivals, where network congestion often renders conventional communication methods unreliable.

The concept of off-grid messaging apps is not entirely new. Bridgefy, another prominent Bluetooth messaging application, gained notable traction during pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong due to its ability to function without internet connectivity, making it harder for authorities to monitor communications. Interestingly, Bridgefy is partly funded by Biz Stone, another co-founder of Twitter, drawing a parallel to Dorsey’s current endeavor. Both Bridgefy and Bitchat emphasize end-to-end encryption, ensuring the privacy and security of user communications.

Dorsey’s foray into Bitchat aligns perfectly with his long-standing commitment to decentralization in technology. A vocal proponent of Bitcoin, he also initiated the project that eventually evolved into Bluesky during his tenure as Twitter’s CEO, underscoring his deep interest in creating more open and distributed digital infrastructures. Although he is no longer affiliated with Bluesky, Bitchat represents a continuation of this ethos.

The new application was quickly made available for beta testing via Apple’s TestFlight program. However, demand was evidently high, as the test reached its maximum capacity of 10,000 users shortly after its announcement. Dorsey indicated on X that Bitchat is currently undergoing review, with a public release anticipated once the process is complete.