Bitchat: Jack Dorsey's New Messaging App Now Available

Bitchat: A New Messaging App by Jack Dorsey

Bitchat, a messaging application developed by Jack Dorsey – the founder of both Twitter and Block – is now available for download through the iOS App Store. Dorsey has stated that the initial coding for this application was completed during a weekend in early July.

How Bitchat Operates

The app functions utilizing Bluetooth mesh networks. This allows users to exchange messages with others within Bluetooth range – typically around 100 meters – without requiring cellular service or a Wi-Fi connection.

User Experience and Interface

Bitchat features a remarkably streamlined user experience. There is no traditional login process; users are immediately presented with an instant messaging interface.

Within this interface, messages from nearby users are visible, provided others are actively using the app in the vicinity. Users can also customize their display name at any time.

Bluetooth Messaging: Not a New Concept

While interest in Bitchat is fueled by Dorsey’s involvement, the underlying concept of Bluetooth-based messaging isn't novel. Such applications have gained traction in environments where conventional connectivity is limited.

Examples include large-scale music festivals or situations following natural disasters, where cellular and Wi-Fi networks may be unavailable. The Bridgefy app, for instance, was prominently used during pro-democracy demonstrations in Hong Kong due to its internet-independent operation.

Security Concerns and Impersonation Risks

Initially marketed by Dorsey as a secure and private messaging platform, Bitchat has faced scrutiny regarding its security. Security researcher Alex Radocea highlighted the ease with which users can impersonate others within the app.

Radocea emphasized that even a well-intentioned protocol can have critical flaws that undermine its security promises, stating, “In cryptography, details matter.”

Dorsey subsequently acknowledged that the software had not undergone an independent security audit and may therefore contain vulnerabilities.

Fake Apps and Distribution Issues

Concerns about impersonation extend to the app's distribution. Currently, Bitchat can be downloaded for iOS via the App Store, or installed on Android devices through GitHub.

However, the Google Play Store features several applications falsely claiming to be Dorsey’s app, accumulating thousands of downloads.

Dorsey's Response to Fake Apps

While Dorsey hasn't directly addressed the fraudulent apps on the Google Play Store, he did share a repost from another user clarifying that Bitchat is not yet available on Google Play and advising users to “beware of fakes.”

This serves as a warning to Android users to exercise caution when searching for and downloading the application.