Bitchat, a messaging app created by Jack Dorsey, founder of Twitter and Block, can be downloaded from the iOS App Store. Dorsey says he coded the basics of the app over the weekend in early July.
Bitchat works over a Bluetooth mesh network. This means that users can send messages to others within the range of Bluetooth connections (usually about 100 meters) without cell reception or Wi-Fi connection.
The app’s UX is minimal. There is no login system. You will be taken to an instant messaging box soon. You can see what a nearby user is saying (if someone is actually around you and using the app) and set a display name that you can change at any time.
Bitchat is intriguing because of Dorsey’s reputation, but the concept of a Bluetooth-powered messaging app is nothing new. These apps are also popular in settings such as large music festivals where cell services may be restricted, and the aftermath of natural disasters that may affect cell services and Wi-Fi availability. The Bluetooth messaging app Bridgefy was especially used during democratic protests in Hong Kong as its ability to function without the internet became difficult for authorities to detect.
Dorsey promoted Bitchat as a secure private messaging platform when it was released for use in the beta version earlier this month. However, security researcher Alex Radocea has questioned how secure the “Vibe-Coded” app is, pointing out in a blog post that it is easy to impersonate others in Bitchat.
“In encryption, details are important,” writes Radseah. “A protocol with a proper atmosphere has a fundamental material flaw that compromises everything it claims to protect.”
Dorsey later admitted that the software was not subject to external security reviews and therefore could contain vulnerabilities.
Bitchat’s concerns about impersonation also extend to the app itself. Currently, the app can be downloaded for iOS via the App Store, or you can download the app from GitHub and load it onto your Android device. However, the Google Play Store hosts multiple apps that appear to be pretending to be Dorsey’s app, which has won thousands of downloads.
Dorsey has not addressed the fake Bitchat app on the Google Play Store directly, but Bitchat is not yet on Google Play and has reposted an X-post from another user who said “be careful of fakes.”
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