Jack Dorsey, former CEO and co-founder of Twitter (now X), has launched BitChat, a decentralized, internet-free messaging platform designed as a potential alternative to Elon Musk’s X.
Dorsey revealed the project in a post on X, describing it as a personal experiment delving into Bluetooth mesh networking, message encryption, and store-and-forward communication models.
“My weekend project is to learn about Bluetooth mesh networks, relays and store-and-forward models, message encryption models, and a few other things,” Dorsey wrote.
BitChat functions without internet connectivity by using Bluetooth to transmit encrypted messages from one device to another, hopping between users until the message reaches its intended recipient. This approach allows communication even in areas with no cellular or Wi-Fi coverage.
Though still in its early stages, BitChat reflects Dorsey’s long-standing interest in decentralization and user privacy—principles he often advocated during his tenure at Twitter.
Dorsey stepped down as Twitter’s CEO in November 2021. A year later, in October 2022, Elon Musk completed a $44 billion acquisition of the platform and rebranded it as X.
BitChat’s development signals Dorsey’s continued push toward building alternatives to traditional, centralized social platforms.
