TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – BitChat, a messaging application developed by Jack Dorsey, the former founder of Twitter (now X), introduces a new form of digital communication that does not depend on internet access or cellular networks.
The app enables direct message exchanges between devices using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and is built on mesh networking technology.
Rather than using centralized infrastructure like servers or mobile network towers, BitChat operates on a peer-to-peer communication model. Messages are exchanged directly between nearby devices, each acting as a node within the Bluetooth range. These nodes relay messages across the mesh network to extend reach.
How BitChat Communicates Without Internet
Bluetooth generally has a range of about 100 meters. However, with mesh networking, BitChat allows messages to travel across multiple devices, or “hops,” until they reach their destination.
This process, known as multi-hop relay, ensures that messages sent from one device can be passed along by others until they arrive at the recipient.
A Time-To-Live (TTL) system is used to manage how far a message can travel. If a message exceeds the maximum number of allowed hops, it is automatically deleted.
BitChat also applies a store-and-forward system. If the recipient is not in range, another nearby device, known as a friend node, temporarily stores the message.
Once the recipient reconnects to the mesh network, the message is forwarded. This feature allows users to communicate even when real-time connections are unavailable.
Every message sent through BitChat is protected by end-to-end encryption. Only the intended recipient can decrypt and read the message. Devices that help relay the message cannot access its content.
BitChat does not require users to register with phone numbers or email addresses, and there is no account-based authentication. Since there is no central data storage or user tracking, the system offers strong resistance against surveillance and infrastructure failures.
To optimize message delivery, each device stores limited routing data about previous interactions. When sending a message to an unknown destination, the device tries to forward it to nearby nodes that might be closer to the recipient. If no immediate path is found, the message is stored until the recipient appears on the network.
In essence, BitChat creates a secure, decentralized, and adaptive local network between devices using Bluetooth. Its blend of mesh networking, encrypted store-and-forward messaging, and anonymity makes it suitable for use in environments where traditional communications are disrupted or unavailable.
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