Dorsey's Decentralized Bluetooth Mesh Network: Bitchat

Former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey recently launched the beta version of Bitchat, a decentralized peer-to-peer messaging service operating entirely over Bluetooth. This new system aims to provide a secure and private alternative to existing centralized messaging platforms.

Decentralized and Private Messaging

Dorsey described Bitchat, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), as having "IRC vibes." The system, detailed in a whitepaper, leverages Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mesh networks for decentralized communication. Key features include:

• No central servers, accounts, or infrastructure dependencies: Ensuring user privacy and resilience against censorship and outages.
• Ephemeral messaging: Messages are stored only in device memory by default, not on a central database.
• End-to-end encryption: Providing an additional layer of security for private conversations.
• Mesh networking: Enables automatic multi-hop message relaying, extending reach beyond individual Bluetooth ranges. Bridge nodes connect separate clusters, overcoming range limitations.
• Room-based chat: Allows for the creation of hashtag-named group chats with optional password protection.
• Store-and-forward system: Caches messages for offline peers for a defined period.

This contrasts sharply with popular services like WhatsApp and Messenger, which are operated by centralized corporations and utilize user data for profit. Bitchat offers a privacy-focused approach, addressing concerns raised about data collection by centralized messaging platforms.

Technical Details and Future Plans

Each device in the Bitchat network functions as both client and peripheral, creating a self-organizing mesh. Messages are encrypted according to their type (private, room, broadcast), and larger messages are segmented into 500-byte chunks. Future development plans include expanding capabilities to include WiFi, increasing bandwidth for larger messages.

Use Cases and Significance

Bitchat’s decentralized nature makes it ideal for various scenarios where internet access is unreliable or untrusted, such as: conferences, protests, or disaster relief efforts. The system highlights the feasibility of secure, private messaging without relying on centralized infrastructure. This builds upon Dorsey’s history of involvement in decentralized platforms, including his previous role at Twitter and co-founding Bluesky.

Codeum's Note: Codeum offers comprehensive blockchain security and development services, including smart contract audits, KYC verification, and custom smart contract & DApp development. We help projects like Bitchat build secure and robust decentralized applications.