Jack Dorsey launching a new messaging app (Bitchat)

Link to Github.

Has anyone seen this? Would love to hear some expert opinion before it blows up anyway since it’s trending atm.

Looks extremely interesting, a messenger optimized for Bluetooth mesh networks would be really cool to see. I’d like to see it formally audited but definitely something to keep an eye on.

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It has great use cases for sure. But I would still like to be able to use this via the internet.

Related: xkcd: Standards

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How is it any better or worse than Briar?

At most, I can see this being used for large protests or hidden conversations within the local vicinity. Can someone elaborate whether it can be used for any other purpose besides these two?

Besides being an established project, Briar can be used over the internet and TOR. Bluetooth is more of a secondary feature.

On the otherhand, Bitchat relies purely on Bluetooth mesh networks and is P2P.

Wouldn’t Apple Messages with all parties having advanced data protection turned offer the same benefits as this?

I’m really puzzled where these messaging apps become useful. The range isn’t large enough for a big household, let alone educational facility or WAN to cover where people live.

Sure some people like to setup their own antennas etc but usually those are radio amateurs and the ranges are vastly superior.

It probably works nicely in a protest to share e.g. filmed evidence, but bringing the phone there makes you trackable.

No you’d still need internet, and iMessage doesn’t really try to hide who’s talking to who.

Future support for WiFi direct is anticipated to increased recipient range

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