A new app for secure messaging via Bluetooth has become available in the App Store, aimed at users who prefer privacy and autonomy. A messenger called Bitchat, developed by one of the founders of Twitter, is a solution that does not require the Internet, a SIM card, email or an account. Messages are transmitted via a peer-to-peer Bluetooth network, enabling communication between devices in physical proximity.
The app is positioned as a tool for situations where traditional communication channels are unavailable — in the subway, planes, places with a weak signal, or when the Internet is turned off. The size of the installation file is only 2 megabytes, which makes it convenient for quick download and installation, even in conditions of limited network access.
The Bitchat feature is completely decentralized: the app does not use servers, does not collect user data, does not request registration, and does not require personal information. After launching, the user is assigned a random nickname, which can be changed manually. All chats are encrypted using end-to-end encryption, and the interlocutors are identified via a local Bluetooth network.
Additional features include a triple-tap full sweep mode. It immediately removes all messages and traces of activity, making the app particularly popular in an environment focused on digital security.
The messenger is currently available only in the App Store, while the developers reported temporary limitations of compatibility with Android, which are currently being eliminated. The application code is publicly available, which confirms the authors ' intention to ensure transparency and independent verification of the security architecture.
The idea of a local Bluetooth network without a central server is increasingly seen as a potential alternative to traditional instant messengers, especially in times of crisis, limited Internet or strict censorship. Solutions of this type can be used not only by private users, but also by humanitarian organizations working in disaster or conflict zones where there is no stable connection.
Bitchat is one of the first commercially available products of a new generation in the field of offline communication, focusing on digital independence, security and rejection of centralized data storage structures.
