Jack Dorsey—co‑founder of Twitter (now X) and current CEO of Block—has quietly released an experimental messaging app called Bitchat, described as a “weekend project” that tested both his coding chops and the potential of AI-assisted development..
Key Features & Vision
- Offline peer-to-peer mesh network: Bitchat relies entirely on Bluetooth Low Energy mesh technology, allowing devices within ~300 m to relay messages without phones, networks, or internet access.
- No accounts or central servers: It’s encrypted end-to-end using modern cryptography (Curve25519 + AES‑GCM), with no usernames or phone numbers needed.
- Built-in privacy tools: Offers password-protected channels and a “Panic Mode”—a triple-tap logo feature that instantly wipes stored data.
- Planned enhancements: Future updates aim to integrate Wi-Fi Direct for longer range and faster messaging.
🚀 Why This Matters
- Resilient communication in emergencies: Bitchat enables messaging during natural disasters, connectivity blackouts, or oppressive government censorship—echoing the functionality of earlier apps like FireChat and Bridgefy used by Hong Kong protesters
- Decentralization ethos: Free from centralized controls, Dorsey envisions this as a tool that empowers users and preserves privacy—reinforcing his broader commitment to independence in technology T
- AI-assisted development: Dorsey built Bitchat using Goose, Block’s internal AI coding assistant. He highlights this “vibe coding” approach—building software using natural language prompts and AI—as part of a personal experiment to explore both AI’s strengths and his own capacity
🧪 Beta Stage & What’s Next
- Currently in closed beta, available via TestFlight (iOS) and Android—but capped at 10,000 users and awaiting Apple App Store approval due to pending optimizations
- The white paper and open-source code are on GitHub, inviting community feedback and collaboration
- A noted security researcher flagged a possible impersonation vulnerability; Dorsey acknowledges the app is still a “work‑in‑progress” lacking external review
đź“ť Blog Perspective: What This Represents
- Backward innovation: Paradoxically, even as tech often chases hyper-connectivity, Bitchat underscores the value of going offline—prioritizing privacy, autonomy, and resilience over ubiquitous internet access.
- Proof-of-concept for AI code assistants: Bitchat’s quick launch—a working app within a day—demonstrates a bold confidence in AI tools, exemplifying what Dorsey calls “vibe coding,” a signpost toward future development practices
- Fits his decentralized tech philosophy: Dorsey’s involvement in Bluesky, Bitcoin mining initiatives, and now Bitchat all align with a consistent theme: decentralization, freedom, and user control.
🔍 Final Take
Bitchat may seem small-scale, but its implications are far-reaching:
- Acts as a tangible proof-of-concept for offline encrypted communication in a world where connectivity isn’t guaranteed.
- Highlights a new AI‑first coding paradigm, leveraging tools like Goose to accelerate experimentation.
- Presents a philosophical stance: real privacy and autonomy may require stepping away from centralized infrastructure—even on the weekend.
Whether Bitchat becomes widely used or remains a niche tech curiosity, it’s a fascinating expression of Jack Dorsey’s evolving interests at the intersection of privacy, technology, and open-source innovation.