Bitchat: Jack Dorsey's Messenger Without Internet, SIM Cards and Censorship

What is Bitchat and how does it work?

Jack Dorsey, the former CEO of Twitter and the current head of Block, presented a new project - Bitchat. This is a messenger that completely works without the usual dependencies like the Internet, SIM cards and even central servers. Messages are transmitted via Bluetooth through the mesh network of smartphones, that is, from device to device.

Encryption is built in by default, no login data or accounts are needed. Everything is as anonymous as possible and resistant to failures.

Why it matters

Bitchat is not just another messenger. It is an attempt to create a new paradigm of communication — not a platform with an owner and servers, but a protocol where each network participant is independent and free.

The idea was not born out of nowhere: during the protests in Hong Kong, activists used similar technologies to stay in touch without access to the Internet. It was this experience that inspired Bitchat.

Where and for whom it will be useful

Such a messenger is especially useful:

• at festivals and public events where communication is overloaded;
• during rallies or protests, where the Internet can be intentionally turned off;
• in case of natural disasters or other emergencies when the infrastructure does not work.

What's next

So far, the project is in beta. But the team is already working on the next steps:

• WiFi Direct support is another way to communicate without the Internet.
• Perhaps the introduction of offline Bitcoin payments, which will completely close the cycle of independent communication and exchange of value.

Failure or revolution?

It's hard to say whether Bitchat will go to the masses. But as an idea and an experiment, it's a very strong step towards digital autonomy. And if the technology really takes off, it could change the very idea of what communication is in the digital world.