Jack Dorsey Unveils Bitchat — Decentralized Messaging Without Internet
Jack Dorsey, CEO of Block and co-founder of Twitter, has launched a beta version of Bitchat, a decentralized messaging app that leverages Bluetooth mesh networks for secure, internet-free communication. The new app enables ephemeral and encrypted messaging, avoiding reliance on central servers or infrastructure. Devices within the Bitchat network can relay messages using a self-organizing mesh system, allowing connectivity even in areas lacking reliable internet access. Dorsey has spent considerable time researching Bluetooth technologies and understands that Bitchat aims to offer resilience against censorship and outages. Bitchat's architecture ensures user privacy by not requiring registration or personal accounts and allows for message caching in offline scenarios. Future enhancements may introduce WiFi messaging to facilitate the transmission of larger messages. Dorsey’s involvement in messaging technology dates back to his initial stints with Twitter and his later venture into decentralized platforms like Bluesky. He emphasizes that Bitchat is designed for environments like protests, emergencies, or gatherings where traditional communication methods may fail, making it a revolutionary step for privacy-conscious users.
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