The latest project of Twitter founder Jack Dorsey is called bitchat, an alternative to messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram that’s designed to provide better privacy. While WhatsApp encrypts all direct messages end-to-end, a proposed EU-wide chat control that might be approved by the European Commission, could force weaker encryptions and monitoring of all messages.
However, bitchat transmits messages via a decentralized Bluetooth mesh network, and not over the internet. This means that a message is automatically sent to every other smartphone with the bitchat app installed within a range of up to 328 yd, which then forwards the message to the next smartphone until it eventually reaches its recipient. These "middlemen" cannot read these transmitted messages, as AES-256-CGM encryption is intended to prevent anyone other than the recipient from decrypting it.
What is Bitchat?
Bitchat is a peer-to-peer messaging app that lets you send messages offline via Bluetooth. This means that you can chat with people without relying on mobile data or Wi-Fi. The app is a convenient option when there is a weak connection or no connection at all.
How does Bitchat work?
Bitchat allows devices to connect directly with each other over short distances. It doesn't require central servers, phone numbers, or internet or email addresses. As people walk around with their phones, the app uses Bluetooth to connect nearby devices and form a group.
In case the person is at a far distance, the message hops from one phone to another nearby phone until it reaches the intended person. This process is called mesh networking.
The messages are sent to nearby devices using end-to-end encryption, so no one can read the message, except the sender and the final recipient.
Features of Bitchat
- Offline communication: Works without internet using Bluetooth mesh networking
- End-to-end encryption: All messages are encrypted
- Extended range: Messages relayed through peers, reaching up to 300 meters or 984 feet
- Mention: Use @nickname to notify specific users
- Rooms: Create rooms for topic-based conversations
- Password rooms: Secure rooms with passwords and AES encryption
- Privacy: No tracking, no servers, accounts or data collection
Is Bitchat available for download?
Bitchat is currently in the beta testing phase, available to a limited number of iOS users through Apple's TestFlight platform, where it quickly reached the 10,000-user limit. The official release date has not yet been announced. The developers are also working on the Android version.
Source: NDTV
Bd-pratidin English/ ANI
