Jack Dorsey’s Bluetooth messaging app Bitchat now on App Store

Bitchat, an innovative messaging application developed by Jack Dorsey, the co-founder of Twitter and Block, has officially launched on the iOS App Store. Dorsey reportedly built the core features of the app in just one weekend this past July. Operating through Bluetooth mesh networks, Bitchat allows users to send messages to others within a Bluetooth range of approximately 100 meters, all without requiring cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity. The app boasts a minimalist user experience, eliminating the need for a login system. Upon opening Bitchat, users are instantly directed to a messaging interface, where they can view messages from nearby users and customize their display names at any time. The launch of Bitchat has generated buzz, largely due to Dorsey's prominent reputation in the tech world. However, the idea of Bluetooth-based messaging is not entirely new. Such applications have been popular in environments where cellular service may be inadequate, like music festivals or in the aftermath of natural disasters. For instance, the Bluetooth messaging app Bridgefy gained attention during pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, as its offline capabilities made it difficult for authorities to monitor. Dorsey has promoted Bitchat as a secure and private messaging platform since its beta release earlier this month. Nevertheless, concerns about security have been raised. Security researcher Alex Radocea highlighted potential vulnerabilities, stating that impersonation within Bitchat is relatively easy and questioning the app's overall security. "In cryptography, details matter," Radocea emphasized, suggesting that while the app may seem appealing, it could harbor significant flaws that undermine its protective claims. Despite these security concerns, which Dorsey acknowledged by admitting that the software has not undergone an external security audit, Bitchat is currently available for download on iOS. Users can also install it on Android devices through GitHub. However, the Google Play store has seen the emergence of several misleading apps claiming to be Bitchat, which have accumulated thousands of downloads. Though Dorsey has not specifically addressed these counterfeit apps, he did share a user’s post advising the public to be cautious of fakes, reiterating that Bitchat is not yet available on Google Play.